Should Solicitors Accused of Misconduct be Entitled to Anonymity in Disciplinary Proceedings? – Ten-Minute Talk

 A recent decision of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to anonymise the identity of a respondent found to have committed sexual harassment has attracted considerable media attention.

In this discussion, our Regulatory and Professional Discipline Partner, Andrew Pavlovic, and Partnership and Employment Partner and General Counsel, Beth Hale discuss the case, as well as their own experience of acting for individuals seeking anonymity. Topics covered include:

• The procedural and legal bases upon which anonymity requests can be founded
   
• The approach the SRA/Tribunal usually take to such requests
   
• Why it appears that anonymity orders are becoming more prevalent in Tribunal proceedings in recent years
   
• Whether individuals accused of acts of sexual misconduct should be able to remain anonymous, or whether justice would be better served if they were named

If you have any questions arising from this video, or you would like to discuss any issues regarding SRA investigations and regulation, please contact our Partner Andrew Pavlovic, who specialises in regulatory and professional discipline law, or Beth Hale who specialises in partnership and employment law.