Barrister Peter Wareing was ordered to be suspended from practice for six months with effect from 19 July 2021 by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 8 July following charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal’s decision follows Mr Wareing’s conduct during a public access case which he undertook in 2015 when he sent hostile emails to the other side’s solicitors, made a false statement in an email to the solicitors in relation to disclosure, and made a false statement to an Employment Judge during a Case Management Hearing.
The tribunal found that Mr Wareing had breached several of the core duties which all barristers are expected to follow including failing to observe his duty to the court in the administration of justice, failing to act in the best interests of his client, failing to act with honesty and integrity, failing to provide a competent standard of work and service to his client, and acting in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or the barrister profession.
The tribunal also found that Mr Wareing had undertaken Public Access work between May 2015 and September 2015 when he was not authorised to do so by the BSB. Before he can return to Direct Access practice after serving his suspension, the tribunal ordered Mr Wareing to complete an approved Public Access training course. He was also ordered to contribute £2000 towards the BSB’s costs.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “The tribunal’s decision to suspend Mr Wareing for six months serves as a reminder to all barristers about the need to adhere to the standards of conduct laid out in the BSB Handbook.”
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Peter Wareing
Peter Wareing was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Inner Temple in October 2004.
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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