Law grad slapped with restraint order over 'meritless' SRA complaints

A law graduate has been slapped with a civil restraint order after years of filing meritless claims at the employment tribunal.

Described as a "prolific litigant" by the judge, Zakir Khan's claims were centered around alleged discrimination during recruitment processes, based on his disabilities.

Adjustments demanded

Over eight years, Khan filed 42 claims, including 12 targeting the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and many others against government departments and law firms.

His allegations generally revolved around a failure to provide reasonable adjustments during recruitment processes, arguing that his disabilities were not adequately accommodated.

Some of the adjustments he requested included replacing written competency-based forms with assessed work experience, providing advance notice of test formats and allowing him to bypass certain stages of applications.

Failed claims

Although Khan did settle two cases for small "nuisance" payments of £700 and £1,000, his claims were overwhelmingly dismissed as meritless: none of his 42 actions at the tribunal resulted in a favourable outcome.

Yet, despite repeated defeats, Khan persisted with an "utter but misplaced conviction", according to the claimants, which included the SRA and several other government departments who sought the civil restraint order.

Outcome

Granting the order, the judge highlighted Khan’s "subjective, if irrational" mindset, noting his beliefs were "entirely without objective foundation".

The order bars Khan from filing any further claims at the employment tribunal for the next three years without first obtaining court approval.