A barrister partner at a Solicitors Regulation Authority-regulated firm has been rebuked by the SRA following a drink driving conviction. 

Robert Lawson KC, a partner of Clyde & Co LLP, mounted a kerb while driving and was arrested by the police. He was charged with drink driving and driving without due care and attention. Nobody was hurt.

He pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates Court and was disqualified from driving for 18 months, to be reduced to 13 and a half months if he successfully passed a rehabilitation course. He was ordered to pay a £1,380 fine, £105 in costs and a victim surcharge of £190.

Lawson admitted that his conduct and conviction meant he ‘failed to behave in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors’ profession’.

The SRA acknowledged mitigating circumstances included that Lawson had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, expressed regret for his actions, reported his conviction to the SRA and no harm was caused in the isolated incident.

The regulator said: ‘A rebuke is appropriate to uphold public confidence in the solicitors’ profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons. If no sanction was imposed, it would not sufficiently address Mr Lawson’s conduct or provide a credible deterrent to Mr Lawson and others.

‘The SRA considers that the impact of Mr Lawson’s misconduct was low. No damage or harm was caused to other road users and so the impact was not significant. Whilst the conduct was intentional or arose as a result of recklessness, it was an isolated incident.’

Lawson will also pay the costs of the SRA’s investigation of around £300.

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