Unregistered barrister, Daren Timson-Hunt, was prohibited from obtaining a practising certificate for six months by an independent disciplinary tribunal at a hearing held on 23 November, following charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal's decision comes after Mr Timson-Hunt was convicted in September 2019 for taking photographs under a woman’s clothing without her consent. He was sentenced to a Community Order and was ordered to pay a surcharge of £90 to fund victim services and to pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service. The panel added a condition to the sanction, that Mr Timson-Hunt must have fully complied with this Community Order before he applies for a practising certificate.
The tribunal found that Mr Timson-Hunt had behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession, and which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his integrity.
Commenting on the order to suspend, BSB Director of Legal and Enforcement, Sara Jagger said: “The tribunal’s decision to prevent Mr Timson-Hunt from obtaining a practising certificate until he has complied with his community order reflects the consequences of such a serious departure from the standards expected of those called to the Bar of England and Wales”.
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Daren Timson-Hunt
Daren Timson-Hunt was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Lincoln’s Inn in July 2001.
Unregistered barristers
An unregistered barrister is an individual who has been called to the Bar of England and Wales but does not currently hold a practising certificate. There are a number of reasons why a barrister might not hold a practising certificate, including retirement, a career break, pursuing an alternative occupation, or never having completed the period of work-based learning known as pupillage which would make them eligible to apply for a practising certificate. In some cases, barristers are prevented from being issued with a practising certificate by a disciplinary tribunal. This arises where there is no practising certificate to suspend but still stops the individual from being able to practise as a barrister.
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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