Former BLP partner Veneik is struck off
Former Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) property partner Vinay Veneik has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) following accusations that he misused client money.
Veneik was struck off at the end of last year and ordered to pay costs of £8,134.70 after the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) referred him to the SDT on four separate allegations (The Lawyer, 13 April 2009).
Veneik was accused of failing to act in the best interests of clients in commercial conveyancing transactions, misusing client money, utilising client money for the benefit of other clients, and failing to comply with an undertaking.
The reason for the decision of the tribunal is not yet known because the ’findings and order’ document - the written submission of the tribunal - has not yet been filed with the Law Society.
Veneik would also not be able to appeal until the document has been sent to the Law Society. Once it has been filed he would have eight days to lodge an appeal.
The Lawyer was not able to reach Veneik, while a spokesman for BLP declined to comment, saying it was a matter between Veneik and the SRA.
Veneik resigned from BLP in January 2008.
Readers' comments (2)
Anonymous | 16-Feb-2010 6:27 pm
Why not also mention that he made it into the Hot 100 in 2007? Seems a little hypocritical. His entry says: "known for his energy and tenacity, Veneik is a superb dealmaker." Guess it was just too embarrassing to admit that these people are usually nominated on the basis of deal volume rather than probity or even competence for that matter.
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Anonymous | 22-Feb-2010 12:39 pm
Scapegoat - just the tip of a very large iceberg.
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