A high-profile criminal barrister, who built his career prosecuting complex sex crimes for the Crown Prosecution Service, has been struck off in disgrace after being found guilty of groping a woman for a second time.
A Pattern of Predatory Behaviour
Kevin Barry, 53, a lawyer who once worked in the CPS's elite complex casework unit handling rape cases, targeted his victim at two separate London social events within weeks of each other. The first incident occurred in February 2018 during after-work drinks at the luxurious Rosewood Hotel in central London.
A disciplinary tribunal heard that Barry placed his hand on the woman's upper thigh, under her dress, and moved it upwards towards her groin. He was also reported to have touched her hair while making comments of a sexual nature.
Just one month later, at a chambers silks party, Barry assaulted the same woman again, this time placing his hand on her bottom. The tribunal ruled that this act was degrading and a violation of her dignity.
History of Misconduct and Inadequate Sanctions
This was not Barry's first offence. He had previously been hauled before a disciplinary tribunal in 2019 for groping another woman. In that instance, he tried to kiss a woman who rejected his advances outside a bar, then slid his hand down her skirt and squeezed her bottom.
Following this unwanted sexual contact, Barry continued his misconduct in a taxi by running his hand up and down her thigh. Despite the tribunal finding his behaviour was likely to diminish trust in the legal profession, he was allowed to continue practising, receiving only a reprimand and a £3,000 fine.
Professional Consequences and Industry Reckoning
The recent tribunal found Barry's actions to be intentional and sexually motivated. The Bar Standards Board emphasised that the victim did not consent to being touched and that Barry, a senior practising barrister, could not have reasonably believed she had consented.
As a result, the tribunal decided that his behaviour was incompatible with membership of the Bar and ordered his disbarment. A spokesman for the Bar Standards Board commended the victim's courage in coming forward and reaffirmed their commitment to tackling such behaviour.
Barry, who was most recently based at the prestigious 36 Group chambers in London and was a contributing editor to two leading law textbooks, has the option to appeal the ruling.
This case emerges amidst a wider reckoning within the legal profession. In September, Baroness Harriet Harman, KC, published 36 recommendations to counter what she called a 'culture of impunity' regarding bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment at the Bar.
