Barrister Drew St’Clair was ordered to be suspended from practice for a period of 26 months by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 7 November 2023 following findings of professional misconduct in relation to charges brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal found that Mr St’Clair 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, in
November 2021, Mr St’Clair abused his position by using relevant personal contact information he had been given whilst prosecuting a case on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service. He did so to pursue his romantic interest in the defendant in those proceedings, whom he had met at court in his professional role as a prosecutor and whom he knew was likely to be vulnerable as a victim of domestic abuse.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “The Tribunal found that Mr St’Clair violated a clear professional boundary and abused his position of power in relation to a vulnerable individual. This type of conduct is manifestly incompatible with the high standards expected of the Bar by those experiencing the justice system and the wider public and the Tribunal's order to suspend Mr St’Clair reflects the seriousness of such behaviour”.
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Drew St'Clair
Drew St'Clair was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Middle Temple in July 2001.
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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