The Law Society Gazette reports
Barrister Robert Michael Kearney has been disbarred and immediately suspended pending any appeal, after a tribunal found him culpable of sexual harassment.
The charges related to two separate cases of alleged sexual harassment involving two pupil barristers and a student undertaking a mini-pupillage. The first set of proceedings related to Kearney’s conduct towards the two pupils at a chambers social event and subsequently at a bar; the second involved his conduct toward a mini-pupil on separate occasions.
The disbarment follows Kearney’s previous disciplinary history for similar conduct, the Bar Standards Board said in a statement. The tribunal also imposed an immediate suspension pending any appeal, ordering that the BSB take immediate steps to suspend Kearney’s practising certificate.
BSB director of legal and enforcement Sara Jagger said: ‘The tribunal’s decision to disbar Mr Kearney demonstrates that sexual harassment is manifestly incompatible with the high standards expected of the Bar – this type of conduct has no place in a modern, inclusive Bar.’
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Barrister Robert Michael Kearney was ordered to be disbarred by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 19 July 2023 following findings of professional misconduct on a number of charges brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The charges related to two separate cases of alleged sexual harassment involving two pupil barristers and a student undertaking a mini pupillage. The first set of proceedings related to Mr Kearney’s conduct towards the two pupils at a chambers social event and subsequently at a bar; the second set of proceedings involved his conduct toward a mini-pupil on separate occasions.
The disbarment follows Mr Kearney’s previous disciplinary history for similar conduct. Alongside the disbarment, the Tribunal also imposed an immediate suspension pending any appeal ordering that BSB take immediate steps to suspend Mr Kearney’s practising certificate.
Commenting on the order BSB Director of Legal and Enforcement Sara Jagger said: “The tribunal’s decision to disbar Mr Kearney demonstrates that sexual harassment is manifestly incompatible with the high standards expected of the Bar – this type of conduct has no place in a modern, inclusive Bar.”
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Robert Michael Kearney
Robert Michael Kearney was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Inner Temple in November 1996.
About disciplinary tribunals
The Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS) is responsible for appointing and administering Disciplinary Tribunals on behalf of the President of the Council of the Inns of Court and its tribunals are independent of the BSB. The BSB is responsible for bringing charges of professional misconduct against barristers, which BTAS tribunal panels then adjudicate. The sanctions imposed are a matter for the tribunal having regard to the facts of the individual case and the BTAS Sanctions Guidance.
