Barrister Alan Wheetman was ordered to be prevented from being issued with a practising certificate for 24 months, by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 10 February following charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal found that Mr Wheetman behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession. The arose from inappropriate comments and behaviour of a sexual nature made towards a female involved in a case he was instructed in at a Magistrates’ Court in August 2022. Mr Wheetman showed his photography website to the individual, which included semi-nude images, and offered to take photos of her, with the suggestion this could be without clothing.
The Tribunal determined that the BSB should not issue a practising certificate for a period of 24 months. Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “Inappropriate conduct of a sexualised nature is not something that the public should expect from members of the Bar and the decision to prevent Mr Wheetman from practising reflects the seriousness of his conduct.”
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
Notes to editors
About Alan Wheetman
Mr Alan Wheetman was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Middle Temple in October 1995.
About disciplinary tribunals
The Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS) is responsible for appointing and administering Disciplinary Tribunals on behalf of the President of the Council of the Inns of Court and its tribunals are independent of the BSB. 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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