In the Media

Barrister who lied about career to be disbarred

PUBLISHED June 25, 2014
SHARE

A barrister who lied about her employment history to get an in-house job at a London hospital was last week ordered to be disbarred from the profession. ? ?

The bar's independent disciplinary tribunal heard that in the summer of 2012 Merilyn Brown misled the Whittington Hospital NHS Trust over her past employment, while applying for a position there as head of legal services. ? ?

The panel, chaired by His Honour Judge Michael Baker QC (pictured), heard that in completing and submitting her application form Brown falsely indicated that she had not previously been dismissed from any job. ? ?

She falsely stated that her reason for leaving her last role as head of complaints and litigation at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust was because it was an interim role. ?

?Brown, who represented herself at the hearing, had in fact been dismissed from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital for 'conduct reasons' that were not disclosed at the public tribunal. ?

?Brown was also found guilty of a second charge of misconduct, after she further misled Whittington by claiming that she had taken a part time job at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, when the role had been full-time. ?

?The panel decided unanimously that Brown had engaged in conduct that was dishonest with the intention of making a financial gain. ? Baker told Brown that she had been 'plainly dishonest'. ? ?

Head of professional conduct at the Bar Standards Board Sara Jagger said: 'Instances of dishonesty among the bar are taken very seriously. The panel has made the right decision.' ?Brown was an unregistered barrister, having been called to the bar by Inner Temple in July 2007 but not completed pupillage. ??

Related Links:

CATEGORIES