22 Jan 2021

Barrister Matthew Boyden was prevented from practising for three years by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 21 January 2021 following charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

The tribunal's decision comes after it found that Mr Boyden failed to be open and co-operative with his regulator and failed to comply in due time with an administrative sanction imposed on him by the BSB in 2016.

Mr Boyden is already subject to a separate disciplinary finding in March 2019 for serious failures in relation to his duties to the court and to his client. At the time, the tribunal ordered that he be prevented from obtaining a practising certificate for three years from that date and imposed a fine that he failed to pay. The new order prevents Mr Boyden from obtaining a practising certificate for a further three years from February 2021 (or later if the latest tribunal finding is appealed).

Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “When a barrister is found to have committed professional misconduct, it is vital for public confidence that they comply with sanctions that have been imposed. Mr Boyden’s repeated failure to do so is a serious matter and this is reflected in the tribunal’s decision to prevent him from practising for three years.”

The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.

ENDS

 

Notes to editors

About Matthew Boyden

Matthew Boyden was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Middle Temple in July 2007.

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 BTAS Sanctions Guidance which is endorsed by the Council of the Inns of Court.

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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