The Respondent is a solicitor having been admitted to the Roll on 1 September 1982. The Respondent is a sole practitioner who predominantly specialises in family law.

Person M made a report to the SRA on 21 November 2022 concerning several aspects of the Respondent’s conduct whilst he was acting for Person M’s former partner, Person B, in family court proceedings during July 2022.

An SRA investigation subsequently commenced, and allegations were brought against the Respondent arising from his conduct during those proceedings. In particular, it was alleged that the Respondent had attempted to take unfair advantage of Person M’s position as a litigant in person by repeatedly requesting her contact details during July 2022. It was further alleged that the Respondent had obtained Person M’s contact details by instructing a private investigator and had thereafter disclosed those details to his client outside the family court process.

The Tribunal found all of the allegations proved save for Allegation 1.2.4.