Unregistered barrister Matthew Feargrieve was prohibited from obtaining a practising certificate for 12 months by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 19 June 2024. Mr Feargrieve was convicted of the criminal offence of assault by the Central London Magistrates Court in December 2019. The Tribunal found that the charge was proved to the criminal standard and that Mr Feargrieve behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession. The BSB was therefore ordered by the Tribunal not to issue Mr Feargrieve with a practising certificate for 12 months.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “Barristers have an obligation not to behave in a way which is likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in them or in the profession, even when not practising. The tribunal’s decision shows that Mr Feargrieve’s actions leading to his conviction were a clear breach of that duty and the sanction reflects the seriousness of this breach.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Matthew Adam Feargrieve
Mr Matthew Adam Feargrieve is an unregistered barrister and was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Lincoln’s Inn on 8 November 1996.
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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