A barrister who was convicted of rape has been disbarred by the Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service.
James Boyle, called to the bar by Middle Temple in 1999, was a police officer before becoming a criminal defence barrister. He was still practising when he was charged with 11 counts including rape of a female under 16. Following a trial at Cambridge Crown Court, Boyle was convicted of rape of a female under 16 years, indecent assault of a female under 16 years and rape of a female over 16 years. The convictions all relate to incidents during 1986 and 1988 while he was a serving police officer. In June 2023, he was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment.
Appearing via video link from HMP Littlehey today, Boyle faced three professional misconduct charges before the tribunal.
He admitted acting in a manner which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession and/or acted in a manner which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his integrity in that he had been convicted and sentenced for three sexual offences.
He told the tribunal: ‘I admit that was the finding of the court. As my barrister has probably told you, I have and always will plead my innocence in these matters, but I acknowledge those were the findings of the court.’ Boyle also admitted two charges of failing to report promptly to the Bar Standards Board that he had been charged and then convicted of the offences.
Read more – Law Soc Gazette
