Barrister William Magill was ordered to be suspended from practice for three months by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 4 December 2024. The Tribunal found that Mr Magill breached a number of his duties as a barrister, including his duty not to behave in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public would place in him or the profession, in that while representing the Crown Prosecution Service he sought to pressurise a defendant to plead guilty and disrupted the business of the court by appearing as an advocate while under the influence of alcohol. The Tribunal also imposed a condition that at the end of this suspension period Mr Magill must provide to the BSB evidence of his abstinence from alcohol for the duration of the suspension itself, or he will continue to be suspended until proof is provided of his abstinence to the BSB.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “Mr Magill’s behaviour breached a number of his duties as a barrister and the tribunal’s decision reflects this.”
The tribunal’s findings remain subject to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About William Magill
Mr William Magill was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Inner Temple on 24 November 2011.
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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