Email: Offensive, derogatory and inappropriate
A solicitor-turned-barrister has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for sending an offensive email that wished harm or even death on its recipients.
The email sent in 2021 identified Rajiv Chopra as a solicitor, although he requalified as a barrister in 2020.
Formerly a criminal defence solicitor who qualified in 2004, he now practises from Crystal Chambers, a direct access set based in East London and Manchester.
An SRA notice issued yesterday said the email was sent to an individual and set out the legal and other action Mr Chopra suggested they should take against the three other individuals who he alleged had acted fraudulently and were copied into the email.
Those three “complained that the email contained offensive language and referred to wishing and/or threatening serious physical harm or potentially death upon them”.
The SRA said: “The email was offensive, derogatory and inappropriate in nature, tone and content.” In sending it, Mr Chopra damaged public trust and confidence in the profession.
In deciding a rebuke was appropriate, the SRA said Mr Chopra’s conduct “caused harm”, he was an experienced solicitor and a public sanction was required “to maintain standards and to acknowledge there has been a breach of regulatory requirements”.
Further, Mr Chopra has shown “no remorse or insight into his behaviour”. The SRA said: “A rebuke will deter him and others from similar behaviour in the future.”
He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,350.
