Barrister Ravi Sidhu was ordered to be disbarred by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 24 November following a finding on two charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). The tribunal found that Mr Sidhu acted dishonestly relating to charges of professional conduct. That, in May 2021 having been instructed to act for a client through chambers, he issued five invoices on chambers’ letterhead outside the chambers system that directed fees be paid into an account in his name, and in doing so, dishonestly created the misleading impression that the matter was being conducted through chambers and avoided his financial obligations to chambers.
Spokesperson, The Bar Standards Board said:
“Clients and fellow barristers are right to expect members of the Bar to act with honesty in their interactions and any departure from this is a serious matter. This is reflected in the decision of the tribunal to disbar Mr Sidhu.”
The tribunal’s findings remain subject to appeal. The tribunal also ordered that Mr Sidhu should not be issued with a practising certificate pending any appeal.
Ravi Sidhu was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in February 1988.
About disciplinary tribunals
The appointment, operation, and decisions (including sentencing) of disciplinary tribunal panels are performed by the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS). BTAS is run independently of the Bar Standards Board, the barristers' regulator. 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.
Information on how to report concerns about barristers can be found here.
