23 September 2019
Unregistered barrister Azfar Naseem Bajwa, called to the Bar of England and Wales by Gray's Inn in July 1996, was ordered to be disbarred by an independent disciplinary tribunal at a hearing held on 19 September 2019, following charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal's decision comes after Mr Bajwa failed to inform the Bar Standards Board that he had been the subject of disciplinary proceedings by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, culminating in an order that he be struck off the Roll of Solicitors.
Commenting on the order to disbar, Sara Jagger, BSB Director of Professional Conduct, said: "Serious misconduct as a solicitor is incompatible with membership of the Bar and the tribunal's decision to disbar Mr Bajwa reflects this. It also serves as an important reminder that barristers have a duty to report disciplinary action by another regulator, even if they are unregistered barristers".
The tribunal's decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Azfar Naseem Bajwa
Azfar Naseem Bajwa was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Gray's Inn in July 1996.
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
Contact: For all media enquiries call:0207 611 4691or email[email protected].
