The Law Society Gazette
A solicitor who ran claims on behalf of women given pelvic mesh implants has failed to engage with the disciplinary proceedings he faces, it has emerged.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal heard today that Darren Hanison, who ran now-closed West Sussex firm Fortitude Law, has yet to respond to charges made against him or plead any defence.
Hanison is alleged to have failed to tell a client he was taking half of her damages in costs and failed to ensure that clients had valid after-the-event insurance to run claims.
He is also alleged to have failed to take instructions from a litigation client, failed to deal with requests for payments from a third party, made misleading demands for costs and dishonestly kept settlement money to pay supposed success fees.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority, prosecuting, successfully applied to the tribunal for permission to have the case heard in his absence. The tribunal also ruled that Hanison will be limited in how late he can produce any evidence that might be relevant to his defence.
The matter has been allocated a three-day substantive hearing scheduled for next February.
