A barrister already suspended over a drink-drive conviction has been disbarred for hiding the conviction from a prospective employer.

Barrister wig

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The Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service found that Carly S Walters had been dishonest during an interview for a role as an employed barrister at a firm of solicitors.

Asked if she had any unspent convictions, she answered ‘no’ knowing that she was still subject to an unspent conviction for driving with excess alcohol.

The tribunal found her dishonesty was designed to mislead and it ordered last week that she should be banned. The decision is open to appeal.

Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: 'The core duties set out in the BSB handbook oblige barristers to act with honesty and integrity and not to behave in a way which is likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in them or in the profession.

‘The tribunal found that Ms Walters’ dishonesty was a serious breach of those duties and the indicative sanction for dishonesty is disbarment, unless there are exceptional circumstances.’

Walters, called to the bar in 2005, had been suspended for six months in July 2023 following findings of misconduct on two charges brought by the BSB.

The charges arose from two convictions for driving whilst over the legal limit for alcohol, first in 2016 and then in 2020, for which she was disqualified from driving for 40 months. The BSB said the first matter came to its attention when Walters reported it alongside the later one.

Walters did not appear at the hearing in July, stating that she was unwell and working hard on her recovery and mental wellbeing. The tribunal said it imposed the suspension to mark the seriousness of the misconduct and to ensure Walters could not return to practice until she was medically fit to do so.