Barrister Duncan Maxwell-Stewart was ordered to be suspended from practice for 12 months by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 10 September 2021 following charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal’s decision follows its finding that in February 2020, whilst on a night out at a bar, Mr Maxwell-Stewart behaved inappropriately and in a sexually motivated way towards two women. One of the women was employed by Mr Maxwell-Stewart’s chambers and another was a trainee solicitor at the firm from which he received most of his work.
The tribunal found that Mr Maxwell-Stewart had behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him as a barrister and could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his integrity.
Further details about the nature of Mr Maxwell-Stewart’s conduct are available on the BTAS website.
Commenting on the order to suspend, a BSB spokesperson said: “The BSB is firm in its view that there is no place at the Bar for sexual harassment. The decision to suspend Mr Maxwell-Stewart for 12 months reflects the unacceptable nature of his conduct.”
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Duncan Maxwell-Stewart
Duncan Maxwell-Stewart was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Gray’s Inn in July 2007.
About disciplinary tribunals
The appointment, operation, and decisions (including sentencing) of disciplinary tribunal panels are performed by the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS). BTAS is run independently of the Bar Standards Board, the barristers' regulator. The BSB is responsible for bringing charges of professional misconduct against barristers, which BTAS tribunal panels then adjudicate. The sanctions imposed are a matter for the tribunal having regard to the facts of the individual case and the BTAS Sanctions Guidance.
About the Bar Standards Board
Our mission is to regulate barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. For more information about what we do visit: http://bit.ly/1gwui8t
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