The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal issued a 12-month suspension, suspended for two years, against London solicitor John Kishin Navani on May 21, 2026, after finding he bullied and harassed five junior female employees.
Navani, a co-founder and managing partner of City firm Criminal Defence Solicitors LLP, faced 50 disciplinary allegations spanning his conduct between 2016 and 2019.
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The tribunal found 43 allegations proved in full and two partly proved, establishing a pattern of demeaning behavior, intrusive questioning, and sexual motivation.
Sanctions and Costs
Alongside the suspended suspension, the tribunal barred Navani from conducting job interviews or holding disciplinary meetings for two years.
The regulatory action follows the Bar Standards Board removing the firm’s authorization to offer pupillages in November 2019, and the firm has additionally ceased offering internships.
The tribunal characterized the five complainants, designated as Persons A through E, as highly credible witnesses, while deeming Navani's evidence to be heavily lacking in credibility.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority applied for costs totaling £163,950, which the tribunal ordered to undergo a detailed assessment.
Details of Misconduct
Person A, who worked as a caseworker, pupil, and barrister, testified about Navani shouting derogatory slurs across the office and convening a 30-minute disciplinary meeting because she returned from a holiday without bringing him sweets.
Navani frequently targeted female workers with intrusive questions regarding potential maternity leave, including pressing Person A about her hospital appointments.
Other employees detailed similar demands for office treats.
Person B described returning to the office after attending her grandfather's funeral, where Navani questioned her appearance and demanded snacks.
Person D faced identical demands after taking leave to visit her ill grandparents. Navani dismissed her reasons for absence and insisted on receiving treats.
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Person D also noted that during her initial job interview, Navani openly investigated her relationship status to predict potential maternity leave.
She accepted the position due to a shortage of criminal law training contracts.
Person C, who joined the firm as a paralegal, reported that Navani made derogatory comments about her eczema, calling it disgusting and asking if it was contagious.
He also reviewed an applicant's resume in her presence using inappropriate criteria.
Person C also recalled Navani calling an intern a "massive airhead" and insulting graduates from the University of Hertfordshire, labeling them "wasters and idiots."
He publicly presented her with Wellwoman vitamins in front of colleagues to prevent medical absences and called her an "Apple whore" during a technical support request.
The tribunal determined that Navani's most severe misconduct involved Person E, an intern.
Following an office Christmas party in December 2018, Navani drove her to his flat against her wishes, where the tribunal concluded his behavior was sexually motivated.
Person E stated she felt trapped due to Navani's professional authority over her career.
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Navani claimed she visited to repair his phone and that he wanted her to leave, an account the tribunal rejected as lacking plausibility.
