Barrister Richard Keogh, called to the Bar of England and Wales by Middle Temple in November 1991, was ordered to be suspended from practice by an independent disciplinary tribunal at a hearing held on 7 October, following charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). The tribunal ordered that Mr Keogh be suspended for a period of twenty-eight days starting on 7 October 2019, subject to any appeal.
The tribunal's decision comes after Mr Keogh assaulted three members of the public, culminating in his conviction by South Essex Magistrates Court in February 2019.
The tribunal found Mr Keogh had engaged in conduct which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence in which the public places in the profession.
Commenting on the order to suspend, Sara Jagger, BSB Director of Professional Conduct, said: "Conviction for assault is a serious matter and the tribunal's decision to suspend Mr Keogh reflects the importance placed in the BSB's Code of Conduct on upholding public trust and confidence in the profession".
The tribunal's decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Richard Keogh
Richard Keogh was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Middle Temple in November 1991.
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.
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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