By Eric King-
A barrister who failed to inform his chambers of his withdrawal from a case before a Court of Appeal hearing has been fined £11,500. The reckless barrister has also been banned from renewing his practising certificate for three years.
Matthew Boyden was banned after he failed to provide a competent standard of work for his client or work in their best interest. The ban sends a warning to other Barristers to carry out their legal duties to their clients with due care and diligence and not disregard their best interests.
The Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Service (BTAS) concluded that Boyden did not notify chambers of his withdrawal when the case was adjourned. In fact, he told clerks he was available for an appeal hearing.
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Boyden failed to inform his client of alternative steps needed to take to prepare for the adjourned hearing. The tribunal also reprimanded him from failing to provide all of the required information to Bar Standards Board. The Eye Of Media.Com heard that Boyden was a bright and knowledgeable Barrister, whose careless actions and disregard for his client has cost him this fine and 3 year punishment in which he cannot practise. The firm for which he practised is also being protected in order not to tarnish its name and reputation because of the actions of one Barrister.
The judgement follows a new standard of proof by the tribunal requiring charges to be proven on the balance of probabilities instead of beyond reasonable doubt.
BSB director-general, Dr Vanessa Davies, said: ‘This is an important moment in the ongoing modernisation of our regulatory arrangements. The public and the profession can continue to have confidence that our disciplinary proceedings are robust, thorough and fair to all concerned.’
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