In a stunning fall from grace, prominent barrister Ben Stokes has been forcibly removed from the profession after a disciplinary tribunal found him guilty of multiple counts of serious professional misconduct.
The Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS) handed down the ultimate sanction following revelations that the barrister, who practised from prestigious London chambers, misled his colleagues and failed to repay a substantial £25,000 loan.
The Damning Findings
The tribunal heard compelling evidence that Mr Stokes engaged in conduct likely to diminish the trust and confidence placed in him and the profession. The most serious charges included:
- Deliberately misleading his chambers about case proceedings
- Failing to honour financial agreements with professional colleagues
- Demonstrating a pattern of dishonesty in his professional dealings
A Career Unravelled
Mr Stokes, who built a reputation as a capable advocate, saw his career collapse under the weight of these findings. The tribunal heard how he borrowed £25,000 from a professional contact in 2021, promising repayment within months, yet failed to honour this commitment despite repeated assurances.
Furthermore, he misled his chambers about the progress of cases he was handling, creating a false impression of his professional activities and responsibilities.
Final Sanction
The disciplinary panel concluded that disbarment was the only appropriate sanction given the seriousness of the misconduct and the fundamental breach of professional standards. This decision marks the end of Mr Stokes's legal career in England and Wales.
The Bar Standards Board, which brought the proceedings, emphasised that such conduct undermines the integrity of the entire legal profession and the administration of justice.
This case serves as a stark reminder to all legal professionals of their ongoing duty to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity in all their professional dealings.
