Past disciplinary findings

Mohammed Arif Riaz engaged in conduct discreditable to a barrister, contrary to paragraph 301(a)(i) of the Code of Conduct, in that on the 5th day of August 2011, he recklessly acted in a manner likely to endanger a West Midlands Police helicopter or any person therein, by shining a green laser pen at the cockpit of the helicopter, contrary to Articles 137 and 241(8) of, and Part D of Schedule 13 to, the Air Navigation Order 2009 made pursuant to sections 60 and 61 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982, of which offence he was convicted on a guilty plea at the Birmingham Crown Court and sentenced on 1 June 2012 to 8 months imprisonment.

Mohammed Arif Riaz made a declaration on Call to the Bar which was false in a material respect, in that on his Call Declaration Form submitted to his Inn dated 1 September 2009, he declared that the declaration which he had made for the purpose of obtaining admission as a student member of his Inn was true and accurate in every respect when he made it, whereas in his Application Form For Admission As A Student Member Of The Middle Temple dated 11 February 2008, he declared that he had not ever been convicted of any relevant criminal offence, whereas he had in fact been convicted, on guilty pleas on or before 3 September 2004 in the Birmingham Crown Court, of two counts of handling stolen goods contrary to section 22(1) of the Theft Act 1968, and on a guilty plea on or before 30 October 2003 in the Birmingham Magistrates? Court, of theft contrary to section 1 of the Theft Act 1968.

Mohammed Arif Riaz engaged before Call in conduct which was dishonest and which was not, before Call, fairly disclosed in writing to the Benchers of the Inn calling him, in that on two occasions between 21 February 2004 and 1 March 2004 he dishonestly received stolen goods, contrary to section 22(1) of the Theft Act 1968, of which offences he was convicted on guilty pleas at the Birmingham Crown Court and sentenced on 3 September 2004 to a Community Punishment Order of 180 hours? duration, and on 28 October 2003, he committed theft (shoplifting), of which offence he was convicted on a guilty plea at the Birmingham Magistrates? Court and sentenced on 30 October 2003 to an Attendance Centre Order of 12 hours? duration.