A partner at a London firm was today cleared of any misconduct in relation to a ‘SLAPP’ allegation. Christopher Mark Hutchings, a partner at London firm Hamlins LLP, was alleged to have ‘untruthfully and dishonestly’ stated in a telephone call with Solicitor G that counsel had advised that a client had a strong case for bringing contempt proceedings.
Hutchings, admitted in 1992, denied all wrongdoing. His hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal was initially held in public with an anonymity order to protect legal professional privilege. The hearing was then moved to private following online publication of a news article, which was later removed, identifyng individuals covered by the anonymity order.
The Gazette understands that the substantive hearing, before a three-person panel, heard closing submissions today in private before a decision was announced in public.
All three allegations, brought by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, against Hutchings were dismissed by the SDT. Dismissing the allegations against Hutchings, Lisa Boyce, chair of the SDT panel, also said no costs order would be made against the solicitor.
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The tribunal heard that Hutchings, represented by Ben Hubble KC, had made an application for his own costs to be decided on the papers. The SRA argued consideration of costs should be adjourned until after a full judgment had been circulated. Both Hutchings’ application and the SRA’s suggestion were dismissed by the SDT.
The chair said there was ‘no good reason to depart from the starting point that no order should be made’ adding: ‘This was a case where dishonesty was alleged, we do not consider proceedings were improperly brought.’
