A self-employed barrister who arrived at court drunk and had to be taken away in an ambulance has been fined £1,000. James Hankinson had arrived at Maidstone Combined Court in March 2025 under the influence of alcohol and collapsed while at court.
Hankinson’s client later reported to his chambers that they noticed a strong smell of alcohol on the barrister and that he had red eyes and slurred his speech when they had met at the court earlier in the day. Hankinson was unable to continue representing his client. After he collapsed, an ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital.
Four days later, Hankinson self-reported his conduct to the Bar Standards Board, explaining the circumstances which led up to it and the steps he and his chambers were taking to address the matter.
He told the BSB he deeply regretted what had happened and was ashamed of his actions.
The regulator said Hankinson had provided mitigation including proof of his abstinence since the day in question, as well as further steps taken to address his conduct. Hankinson had since voluntarily stepped away from practice at great personal cost, effectively taking a five-month self-imposed suspension.
The BSB said there was no evidence of any lasting harm to Hankinson’s client, who was able to obtain alternative more senior legal representation through chambers. The hearing was relisted four weeks later and Hankinson personally compensated the client for their loss of earnings caused by the relisting.
His chambers has provided a support network and assisted Hankinson to enter a phased return to work with appropriate monitoring and support, including checks to ensure he does not consume alcohol when at court or when dealing with clients.
The BSB said the disciplinary panel concluded that a fine was proportionate and in the public interest to reflect the seriousness of Hankinson’s conduct. In addition, whilst not intending to be punitive, this would send a clear message to the profession and the public that this type of conduct by a barrister was not acceptable.
