Past disciplinary findings

1

Francis Evans QC, a barrister, behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or the profession, in that, whilst appointed as a Recorder, he consumed alcohol on court premises which led to difficulties for court staff and a decision to dismiss Mr Evans QC as a Recorder as set out in a statement issued on 25 July 2016 by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office. The statement said that Mr Evans QC’s actions demonstrated a lack of awareness and fell below the standard expected of a judicial office holder. This conduct is likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in Mr Evans QC and the profession in that the public’s trust is likely to be diminished by a disciplinary finding from a judicial regulator in relation to consuming alcohol while working as a Recorder which caused problems for the court proceedings.

Francis Evans QC, a registered barrister (except between 1 June 2020 – 2 September 2020, 01 May 2019 - 13 May 2019 and 01 April 2017 – 03 May 2017), failed to be open and co-operative with his regulator between 19 15 September 2016 and 15 June 2020 (except the period when the investigation was adjourned between 12 September 2018 and 15 May 2019), in that he (i) failed to provide any response to the allegations put to him and/or (ii) failed to provide any proper response to the allegations put to him and/or (iii) failed to provide his regulator with information requested, and in particular: i. Mr Evans QC failed to provide a response to allegations in a complaint put to him by his regulator on 15 September 2016. ii. Mr Evans QC failed to provide a response to allegations put to him by his regulator on 29 May 2020. iii. Mr Evans QC failed to respond or provide any proper response to emails from the BSB on multiple occasions including:

a. the BSB emailed Mr Evans QC on 13 June 2017 requesting an update to his circumstances by the first week of July. Having not received a response, the BSB emailed Mr Evans QC again on 31 July 2017 requesting an update. Having not received a response, the BSB emailed Mr Evans QC again on 4 August 2017 requesting an update. Mr Evans QC eventually responded on 8 August 2017.

b. the BSB emailed Mr Evans QC on 5 March 2018, 12 March 2018, 16 March 2018 and 22 March 2018 reminding him that his final response was due on 28 February 2018. Mr Evans QC did not respond to the first three emails. His eventual response on 26 March 2018 did not explain why he had not responded and did not give a reason for missing the 28 February 2018 deadline.

c. the BSB emailed Francis Evans QC on 15 May 2019, 12 February 2020 and 18 and 29 May 2020 requesting information on the frequency of work being undertaken and supporting documentation. Francis Evans QC failed to provide the information requested.