The Respondent was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors on 15 April 2005 and became Managing Partner of Firm A’s London office in 2018, practising in Team A.

The Applicant alleged that after a team dinner on 15 October 2020, the Respondent grabbed Person A’s arms, pushed her against a wall, kissed her on the mouth, put his tongue in her mouth, and told her she was “…very attractive,” all without her consent, when they were alone outside a club in London. It was alleged that each act was sexually motivated.

It was accepted that the Respondent and Person A were under the influence of alcohol at the time.

The Respondent denied the allegations, stating that Person A followed him outside, initiated the kiss, and that he disengaged shortly thereafter.

The Tribunal found all allegations not proved except Allegation 1.1.3—that the Respondent kissed Person A on the mouth. It found that this kiss was sexually motivated under Allegation 1.2. However, the Tribunal did not find that the kiss was non-consensual. The basis on which the Respondent’s conduct was found inappropriate was therefore significantly narrower than the case advanced by the Applicant.

In assessing Allegation 1.3, the Tribunal proceeded solely on the limited factual findings relating to Allegation 1.1.3 and concluded, on the balance of probabilities, that Allegation 1.3 was not proved.

The Tribunal therefore ordered that the allegations against the Respondent be dismissed.