A City solicitor found in contempt of court almost three years ago is to face a disciplinary tribunal hearing.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority said it has decided to prosecute Raymond McKeeve before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The decision was taken last year but published last week.
The tribunal has certified there is a case to answer over McKeeve’s conduct whilst in practice as a registered foreign lawyer and partner at Jones Day LLP which resulted in the contempt of court finding.
It is alleged that in July 2019, McKeeve responded to a search order issued to his clients to preserve evidence by giving an instruction to ‘burn it’ (or words similar). This instruction was allegedly given to another individual relating to electronic material held by one of his clients.
McKeeve, who is no longer with Jones Day, was fined £25,000 for contempt following a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice. Passing judgment, Mr Justice Adam Johnson described his actions as a ‘spontaneous act of colossal stupidity’ but said they did not warrant a custodial sentence.
The SRA allegations are subject to an SDT hearing and are as yet unproven.
