Unregistered barrister Barry Harwood was ordered to be disbarred by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 30 April 2024 following findings of professional misconduct in relation to charges brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal found that Mr Harwood failed to act with honesty and/or with integrity and behaved in a way which is likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession in that he included false allegations in a report to the BSB against two barristers alleging homophobia, harassment and discrimination. The tribunal found that Mr Harwood had fabricated parts of the allegations, which were serious and made against two other members of the Bar.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “Dishonestly and deliberately making false allegations to a regulator, especially in relation to serious matters such as discrimination and harassment, is wholly incompatible with membership of the Bar and the tribunal's decision to disbar Mr Harwood reflects this.”
Mr Harwood is an unregistered barrister and so the tribunal made an immediate order that the BSB is prohibited from issuing him with a practising certificate. Mr Harwood previously had a practising certificate and was an employed barrister at the time the conduct occurred in 2019. The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Barry John Harwood
Mr Barry Harwood is an unregistered barrister and was called to the Bar of England and Wales Lincoln's Inn on 26 November 1998.
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
Contact: For all media enquiries call: 07432 713 328 or email [email protected].
