A barrister who practised for more than four years without a valid practising certificate has been suspended for two months. David Farley, called by Middle Temple in 2001, faced an independent disciplinary tribunal following three charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board.
The tribunal found that Farley carried out reserved legal activities and practised as a barrister between May 2014 and August 2018 without a valid barristers’ practising certificate.
The tribunal decided that by not holding a valid certificate Farley failed to take reasonable steps to manage his practice competently and in such a way as to achieve compliance with his legal and regulatory obligations.
It also found that his conduct was likely to have diminished the trust and confidence which the public placed in him and the profession.
The BSB’s director of professional conduct Sara Jagger said: ‘The tribunal’s decision to suspend Mr Farley serves as another warning to barristers of the serious consequences that can result from practising without a valid practising certificate.’
