Unregistered barrister, Timothy J E Crosland, was ordered to be disbarred by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 19 January 2023 following charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
On 15 December 2020 Mr Crosland disclosed a draft judgment relating to the building of a third runway at Heathrow Airport upon which an embargo had been placed by the Supreme Court knowing that such disclosure was prohibited and was a criminal contempt of court (which on 10 May 2021 the First Instance Panel of the Supreme Court found it to be). The tribunal found that Mr Crosland behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession and behaved in a way which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his integrity.
The tribunal’s decision to disbar Mr Crosland took into consideration the aggravating factors of deliberate action by Mr Crosland, his refusal to remedy the matter when requested to do so by the Supreme Court and the fact he did so in full knowledge that such disclosure was prohibited and was a criminal contempt of court.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “The tribunal found that Mr Crosland’s actions interfered with the proper administration of justice, thereby diminishing public confidence in Mr Crosland and the profession. Disclosing a judgment upon which the Supreme Court has placed an embargo and being found to have committed a criminal contempt of court are serious matters and the tribunal’s decision to disbar Mr Crosland reflects this.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Timothy J E Crosland
Timothy J E Crosland was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Inner Temple in 1994
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
Contact: For all media enquiries call: 07432 713 328 or email [email protected].
