Unregistered barrister Mary Poku has been prohibited from obtaining a practising certificate for a period of 24 months by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 8 May 2024 following findings of professional misconduct in relation to charges brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal found that Miss Poku behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in her or in the profession and which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine her integrity in that she failed to comply with a judgment of the County Court Money Claim Centre from January 2020 which ordered her to pay a sum of £310,170 to a creditor. Despite assurances that she would do so on various occasions, no payments were made by Miss Poku towards the debt, nor did Miss Poku engage with the court with a view to remedying the breach of the order since it was issued in 2020.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “Failure to comply with a court judgment and to engage with the court, particularly for such a period of time as this, is a very serious matter and is incompatible with the standards the public expects of the Bar, which requires barristers to behave with integrity. The tribunal’s decision to prohibit Miss Poku from practising for a long period reflects this seriousness.”
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Mary Laureen Poku
Miss Mary Poku was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Lincoln's Inn in November 1993. Miss Poku was authorised to practise at the time of the conduct, but did not renew her practising certificate and so, from 1 May 2024 became unregistered.
About disciplinary tribunals
The Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS) is responsible for appointing and administering Disciplinary Tribunals on behalf of the President of the Council of the Inns of Court and its tribunals are independent of the BSB. 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.
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: 07432 713 328 or email [email protected].
