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17.05.22
High Court upholds disbarment of barrister who sought to conceal dishonesty conviction
In Bibi v Bar Standards Board [2022] EWHC 921 the High Court dismissed the appeal of Sky Bibi, a barrister who had been disbarred by the Bar Disciplinary Tribunal. Ms Bibi had faced allegations of behaving in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence in the profession and acting in a…
Read more20.01.21
Lawless lawyers: Is dishonesty really worse than a sex offence?
Recent decisions from the professional bodies governing both solicitors and barristers have seen a uncomfortable trend: some of those committing sex offences are allowed on carry on practising as lawyers, whilst almost anyone guilty of dishonesty continues to be struck off with little hope of return. Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) For any solicitor found to…
Read more1.03.19
An allegation of dishonesty – A statement of fact or the expression of opinion?
In a number of recent libel cases, the court has encouraged parties to apply prior to the service of a defence for a preliminary issue trial where the meaning of the words complained of is in dispute. Often, as part of such a hearing, parties will also seek the determination of other issues, such as…
Read more25.02.19
Dishonesty: professional suicide (unless you are a politician)
The three-month prison sentence of Fiona Onasanya MP has sparked a debate about whether politicians should lose their parliamentary seat if convicted of a criminal offence. Ms Onasanya was convicted of perverting the course of justice by falsely telling police that her former tenant was the driver responsible for a minor speeding offence in July…
Read more28.07.18
The new test for dishonesty: the impact of Ivey v Genting Casinos
Last year’s Supreme Court judgment in Ivey v Genting Casinos [2017] UKSC 67, a civil claim, shocked many criminal law practitioners as it formulated a new test for determining the element of ‘dishonesty’ for use in both civil and criminal Proceedings. Prior to Ivey the case of R v Ghosh [1982] EWCA Crim 2 had been widely recognised by…
Read more15.03.18
Solicitor struck off after falsely claiming he had witnessed a client's signature
A solicitor of nine years’ call has been struck off the roll of solicitors following a finding by the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) that he acted dishonestly. Stewart Stocker, a partner at Lauriston Saggar at the relevant time, was acting for a mother and son who sought to borrow nearly £1 million in a property…
Read more13.02.18
‘Zombie’ solicitor allowed to remain in profession despite finding of dishonesty
A Solicitor who had received the “South West Young Dealmaker of the Year” award in 2014 has been allowed to remain in practice despite the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) finding that he had acted dishonestly. Misleading emails Peter Naylor, aged 31 at the time of the misconduct which occurred between March and August 2014, was…
Read more15.12.17
Solicitor struck off for ‘outrageous plundering’ from vulnerable client
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (‘SDT’) have struck of Mr Stephen Acres and awarded £70,000 in costs to the Solicitors Regulation Authority following sustained misappropriation from the accounts of an ‘elderly and extremely vulnerable client’. Background Mr Acres (‘the Respondent’), a former partner of Stanley De Leon, obtained a Lasting Power of Attorney (‘LPA’) in 2013…
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