Barrister Jonathan Lee Black-Branch was ordered to be disbarred by an independent disciplinary tribunal, which concluded on 2 February following a finding on five charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal found that Dr Black-Branch, behaved in a way which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his honesty and/or integrity, and such conduct was likely to diminish the trust and confidence that the public places in him or in the profession.
This finding arose from a finding by the regulatory body for lawyers in Manitoba, Canada, on 15 December 2023. This body found that between April 2017 and February 2020, Dr Black-Branch, whilst employed as Dean of the Law School at the University of Manitoba obtained $600,000 (CDN) for his own benefit and the benefit of an organisation for which he was an Officer and a Director. As a result, the Law Society of Manitoba disbarred Dr Black-Branch. Dr Black-Branch also failed to self-report these matters to us at the BSB.
Spokesperson, The Bar Standards Board said:
“Dr Black-Branch’s actions, which led to the finding by the Law Society of Manitoba were also unacceptable and incompatible with the standards expected of the Bar of England and Wales. The Tribunal’s decision to disbar Dr Black-Branch reflects the seriousness of his actions.”
Dr Black-Branch was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in May 1995. The tribunal’s findings remain subject to appeal.
