A solicitor who was jailed for researching trial evidence whilst on jury service is now facing prosecution by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Jury seats

Caroline Elizabeth Mitchell, admitted in 1995, has been charged following her conviction last year.

She will face the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to answer allegations that while she was a member of a jury, she intentionally disclosed information that she had discovered to other jury members. This was in contravention of the Juries Act 1974.

The allegations are subject to a hearing on an unnamed date before the SDT and are as yet unproven.

Mitchell, who was an associate with national firm Irwin Mitchell at the time, pleaded guilty in April 2022 to disclosing information to other jurors during a child sexual abuse trial. Her actions caused the trial to be abandoned at an estimated cost of £80,000 and Mitchell was jailed for two months.

She resigned from her firm following the conviction and is not currently practising.

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