Barrister Stephen Simon Nicholas Taylor ordered to be suspended from practice for six months
The charges related to Mr Taylor falsely stating to his client that his case papers were likely to be at his home address, when he knew this was untrue
Barrister Stephen Simon Nicholas Taylor was ordered to be suspended from practice for six months by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 10 April 2024 following findings of professional misconduct in relation to charges brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The Tribunal considered that this behaviour demonstrated a lack of honesty and integrity on Mr Taylor’s part and decided to impose the suspension. The Panel also ordered that Mr Taylor complete a direct access course run by the Bar Council.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “The public should be able to expect barristers to behave in a trustworthy and reliable manner. Losing client documents and not being candid regarding their whereabouts is not only a serious disservice to the client but also risks undermining public confidence in the profession. The Tribunal’s sanction reflects this.”
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.