Senior Solicitor Suspended for 12 Months Following Drunken Office Party Incident
A senior law firm partner who made sexually explicit remarks to four junior colleagues while heavily intoxicated at an office Christmas party has been prohibited from practising law for a full year. Timothy Eagle, a senior partner at Hansells Solicitors in Norwich, Norfolk, consumed excessive amounts of alcohol during the lunchtime celebration, which continued when staff returned to the firm's offices later that afternoon.
Explicit Comments and Unwanted Physical Contact
The tribunal heard that Eagle placed his hand on one woman's waist and told her: 'If I was 20 years younger, I would like to f*** you right now.' Another female colleague was kissed on her exposed shoulder despite her attempts to prevent the advance, with Eagle telling her: 'Every woman likes being kissed.' He later referred to this woman as a 'bitch' during the same evening.
Eagle made further inappropriate comments about a third woman's dress, describing it as 'easy access' while gesturing toward her thighs. To a fourth colleague, he expressed his desire to 'f***' a different female employee, creating an uncomfortable and unprofessional atmosphere throughout the gathering.
Firm's Investigation and Self-Reporting
Hansells Solicitors initiated an internal investigation following the incidents in December 2022, suspending Eagle from work the following month. However, the senior partner retired in April 2023 before the disciplinary process concluded. Eagle had already reported his own misconduct to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which conducted a tribunal hearing last month.
The tribunal ruled that Eagle should be suspended from practising for twelve months and ordered him to pay £30,000 in costs. While accepting that his actions were not premeditated, the panel determined he bore 'direct responsibility' for his behaviour, which demonstrated 'sexual motivation' as an aggravating factor.
Pattern of Scandals at Historic Firm
This incident represents the third major scandal to affect the respected firm within recent years. In 2023, then-senior partner Hugh Landsell was sentenced to four years imprisonment for stealing nearly £2 million from clients' accounts. The following year, Hansells was fined over £120,000 by the SRA after incorrect payments were made to estate beneficiaries, with some elderly recipients dying before receiving their entitled funds.
Alcohol Consumption and Health Context
The tribunal heard that Eagle was an 'experienced drinker' who had been advised to reduce his alcohol consumption following a cancer diagnosis in December 2020 and subsequent surgery to remove part of his liver in 2021. Despite ongoing medical issues through 2021 and 2022, he had returned to full-time work just one month before the Christmas party incident.
In its ruling, the tribunal stated: 'It was, or should have been, obvious to him that too much alcohol might adversely affect his self-control and behaviour... Mr Eagle nevertheless had direct control and responsibility for the circumstances giving rise to his misconduct.'
Firm's Response and Ongoing Practice
Kathryn Hirst, managing partner at Hansells, stated the firm had 'acted with speed and complete professionalism when facts and details were brought to our attention shortly after the event.' She confirmed Eagle was asked to refrain from attending offices or performing legal work before being suspended.
Despite his suspension from practising as a solicitor, Eagle appears to have continued working as a notary public, a role involving authentication and certification of legal documents for international use. The 66-year-old lawyer, who qualified in 1983, apologized to his victims in the days following the incident, acknowledging he had 'overstepped the mark' while claiming he couldn't recall offending them.
The firm, founded in 1827 and headquartered in Norwich's Tombland district with additional offices in Aylsham, Cromer and North Walsham, emphasized its commitment to 'the highest professional standards' and being 'a great place to work' following the tribunal's decision.
