Hearings
We hear cases of alleged misconduct by solicitors, registered European Lawyers, registered foreign lawyers and employees of solicitors’ firms.
Upcoming Hearings
Case: 12476 / 2023
Location: Virtual Room 6
Case: 12485 / 2023
Location: Virtual Room 6
Case: 12473 / 2023
Location: Virtual Room 6
Recent Cases
Case Number
12454 / 2023
Respondent: Richard Ashley Smith
Outcome: Strike off
Case Number
12475 / 2023
Respondent: Christopher John Coates
Outcome: Determination of Indefinite Suspension – Granted
Case Number
12487 / 2023
Respondent: Mladen Kesar
Outcome: Variation of Conditions on Practising Certificate
Attending a Hearing
In-person hearings take place in our London Court Rooms, while some hearings may be held remotely. Cases are heard by a panel of three Tribunal Members, comprising of two Solicitor Members and one Lay Member. A Solicitor Member sits as the Chair of the Panel.
FAQs
View answers to frequently asked questions regards hearings at the SDT.
Yes. Most hearings are open to the public and we encourage remote attendance by Zoom.
However, any party to a case and any person who claims to be affected by it can apply to the Tribunal for the hearing, or part of it, to be held in private on the grounds of exceptional hardship or exceptional prejudice to a party, a witness or any person affected by the application. The Tribunal will only grant the application in those exceptional circumstances if it is satisfied that the grounds have been met. The Tribunal’s order on such an application will always reflect what it considers to be just and proper.
For further details please refer to the Solicitors Disciplinary Rules.
The Tribunal does not produce written transcripts of its hearings; however, it does provide audio copies of hearings available on request. A copy of a hearing is not available when the hearing took place in private or when the Tribunal has ordered that the recording should not be released. Parties to a case are always entitled to an audio copy of the hearing.
Requests for recordings should be sent to enquiries@solicitorsdt.com
Recordings are provided free of charge.
The SDT aims to produce judgments within seven weeks of the last day of the hearing in 85% of cases. Judgments may take longer to produce in lengthy and/or complex cases.
The Tribunal does not have power to award compensation. The Legal Ombudsman does have power to do so. Please see the Legal Ombudsman’s website for more details.
