Past disciplinary findings

Robert Kearney, a barrister and BSB regulated person, failed to act with integrity, in that, on 13 and 14 February 2020, at a chambers social event and a subsequent event, he engaged in the conduct set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule A.


Robert Kearney, a barrister and BSB regulated person, failed to act with integrity in that, on 13 and 14 February 2020, at a chambers social event and a subsequent event, he engaged in the conduct set out in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule A.

Robert Kearney, a barrister and BSB regulated person, behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession, in that, on 13 and 14 February 2020, at a chambers social event and a subsequent event, he engaged in the conduct set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule A.

Robert Kearney, a barrister and BSB regulated person, behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession, in that, on 13 and 14 February 2020, at a chambers social event and a subsequent event, he engaged in the conduct set out in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule A.

Robert Kearney, a barrister and BSB regulated person, behaved in a way which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his integrity, in that, on 13 and 14 February 2020, at a chambers social event and a subsequent event, he engaged in the conduct set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule A.

Robert Kearney, a barrister and BSB regulated person, behaved in a way which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his integrity, in that, on 13 and 14 February 2020, at a chambers social event and a subsequent event, he engaged in the conduct set out in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule A.

Schedule A
1. Mr Kearney made the following comments, or words to that effect, to Pupil A:

i. Inappropriately commented on the appearance of Pupil A whilst she was a guest at a Chambers event, including comments about her eyes, her figure and asking her to look at you directly so that you could look closely at her eyes;
ii. Asked Pupil A, “how many older men have you slept with?”
iii. Asked Pupil A, “how many senior members of the Bar have you slept with?”
iv. Told Pupil A, “You need to have sex with senior members of the Bar, then you will be successful.”
v. Told Pupil A, “You have not slept with a man until you have slept with an older man. You need a man with more experience.”
vi. Stared at Pupil A whilst telling her she was “beautiful” and “gorgeous”.

2. You had inappropriate contact and hand placement with Pupil A over the course of the evening whilst at Lincoln House Chambers, Manchester.

3. You made the following comments, or words to that effect, to Pupil B:

i. Inappropriately commented about the appearance of Pupil B whilst she was a guest at a Chambers event, including comments about her eyes, her figure and calling her beautiful and gorgeous;
ii. Sat uncomfortably close to Pupil B whilst in the Mojo bar;
iii. Repeatedly told Pupil B that she needed to “fucking have sex” with Man A;
iv. Told Pupil B that she needed to have sex with an older man
v. Told Pupil B that she needed someone more experienced to show her a good time;
vi. Told Pupil B that you were an older man with sexual experience;
vii. Asked Pupil B how many men she had slept with;
viii. Asked Pupil B the age of the oldest man she had slept with
ix. Asked Pupil B if she was in a relationship;
x. Told Pupil B that she needed to go and have “fucking sex”;
xi. Told Pupil B that she was frigid;

4. You had inappropriate contact and hand placement with Pupil B over the course of the evening whilst at Lincoln House Chambers, Manchester.