An unregistered barrister has been disbarred after he was convicted of fraudulently evading almost £100,000 in VAT.

Barrister wig

Source: iStock

Christopher John Wilkins was ordered to be disbarred by The Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service following findings of professional misconduct on charges brought by the Bar Standards Board.

Wilkins, called to the bar in May 1993, was convicted of fraudulently evading VAT between 2012 and 2017 totally £98,732 in November 2021. He failed to report that he was charged and his later conviction to the BSB.

The decision is open to appeal. Wilkins is not currently practising, and the tribunal ordered that the BSB must not issue a practising certificate in the 21-day period allowed for any appeal to be made.

A BSB spokesperson said: ‘The tribunal’s decision to disbar Mr Wilkins reflects his criminal conviction for an offence of dishonesty and his failure to report this conviction to his regulator. Such conduct clearly diminishes the trust and confidence which the public places in the profession and is manifestly incompatible with the high standards expected of the bar.’