By Ashley Young-
A law firm is seeking an estimated £3m in legal fees as compensation, after three of the four defendants in the high profile Baker McKenzie prosecution were cleared by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last week.
Baker McKenzie wants a portion of its costs from the SRA, after ramping up £304,192 of legal fees from 15 April 2020 until now.
Only last week, Baker McKenzie’s former London managing partner was fined £55,000 for serious professional misconduct.
The tribunal found that Gary Senior behaved in an inappropriate manner when he tried to kiss and embrace a junior colleague in 2012. It also found that Senior improperly sought, by reason of his position of seniority within the firm, to influence the investigation.
Acting on behalf of the firm, Patricia Robertson QC told the tribunal that the SRA should have withdrawn allegations against Baker McKenzie following the adjournment.
She said:‘The costs of the resumed hearing could have been avoided if the SRA had properly assessed the merit of continuing.’
The repondents’ total cost applications total around £3m.
Twist
The twist to the story is that the SRA is also seeking a costs order against Baker McKenzie because of the way the firm originally responded to the prosecution. Robertson said the regulator’s request was ‘without merit, bad law and must be dismissed’.
Last week, Baker McKenzie’s former London managing partner was fined £55,000 for serious professional misconduct. The tribunal found that Gary Senior behaved in an inappropriate manner when he tried to kiss and embrace a junior colleague in 2012.
It also found that Senior improperly sought, by reason of his position of seniority within the firm, to influence the investigation.
Allegations against three respondents were accused of allowing Senior to improperly influence or seek to influence the investigation by reason of his position of seniority within the firm, were eventually not proven.