Barrister James Patrick Dean was ordered to be disbarred by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 6 June 2024 following findings of professional misconduct in relation to charges brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). The Tribunal also ordered that Mr Dean’s practising certificate be suspended immediately.
The first set of charges related to allegations made following a report by a member of the public regarding Mr Dean’s conduct of an immigration case. These charges entailed multiple breaches of obligations towards his client including client care and unsuitable delegation of casework. The second set of charges related to Mr Dean’s continued supervision of immigration advisers who had had their registration cancelled by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).
On the first set of charges, the Tribunal found that Mr Dean acted in a manner which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession and did not act in the best interests of his client. Regarding the second set of charges, the Tribunal found that Mr Dean failed to act with honesty and with integrity in that he continued to supervise the immigration advisers following the cancellation of their registration and also falsely confirmed to the Bar Standards Board and to OISC that he had ceased supervising them, when in fact he had not done so.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “Reporting incorrect information to the regulator, working with legal professionals who are not correctly registered and failing to act in the best interests of the client are all serious matters. The Tribunal’s decision to disbar Mr Dean and to immediately suspend him from practice reflects that.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About James Patrick Dean
Mr James Patrick Dean was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Lincoln's Inn on 22 November 1977.
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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