A barrister has been suspended from practice for three years after she was found to have failed to pay a judgment debt.
Becky Agates, called to the bar in November 2007, failed to comply with court orders to pay a judgment debt and failed to report to the Bar Standards Board that bankruptcy proceedings had been initiated, and that a bankruptcy order had been made against her.
A five-person panel of the Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service found all four charges brought against Agates proved. It found she had ‘behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in her or in the profession’ and/or behaved in a way which could be seen to undermine her integrity.
The tribunal also found she failed to be open and co-operative with her regulator.
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The panel imposed a 16-month suspension relating to Agates’ failure to comply with a court order and a suspension of 20 months for two charges relating to non-payment of a court order arising from another debt. The suspensions are to run consecutively.
Agates was also fined £500 for her failure to notify the BSB of the bankruptcy proceedings and the order. She was ordered to pay £4,327.26 costs.
A BSB spokesperson said: ‘Ms Agates’ conduct did not meet the professional standards expected at the bar. The public would expect members of the bar to comply with court orders, even those relating to their private life. The tribunal’s decision to suspend Ms Agates reflects the seriousness of not doing so.’
The tribunal’s findings remain subject to appeal.
