UK: Barrister disbarred for lying about his career and businesses

A barrister who lied about being commissioned by the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst has been disbarred by a disciplinary tribunal.

Richard Anthony Gibbs, who was called by Inner Temple in October 2012, was found to have made untrue statements about his career and businesses. He also failed to be ‘open and cooperative’ with the Bar Standards Board (BSB) as he did not report the full extent of the inaccuracies in his CV.

In 2011 when Gibbs was applying for pupillage at St Ives chambers, he stated on his application form that he had been commissioned by the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, had given evidence in support of members of his troop and at inquests into deaths that occurred during training exercises and/or he had been in the regular army.

These statements were untrue.

When applying for tenancy at No5 chambers in 2013, Gibbs submitted a CV which included untrue statements including that he had been a British Army officer and/or sold his company years earlier.

Gibbs, when corresponding with the BSB and self-reporting ‘failed to fully report the extent of the serious misconduct committed by him’ and did not provide the BSB ‘with all the relevant details regarding the inaccuracies of his CV and No5 chambers’ findings against him.’

Gibbs’ actions were found to amount to ‘conduct which was dishonest and/or likely to diminish the public confidence in the legal profession or the administration of justice or otherwise bring the legal profession into disrepute.’

The panel considered the dishonesty to be repeated and deliberate and ordered Gibbs to be disbarred.

A BSB spokesperson said: 'It is not acceptable for a barrister to repeatedly and deliberately dishonestly misrepresent their career. The tribunal’s unanimous decision to disbar Mr Gibbs reflects this.'

The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.