No bar to Call: Inns Conduct Committee win

Abigail Bright successfully represented a student member of one of the four Inns of Court in the preparation of written representations to an Inns Conduct Committee. The student is a graduate of the Bar Professional Training Course and a member of the Inn who had applied to be Called to the Bar. After membership and before proposed Call to the Bar, the student applicant had entered into an individual voluntary (financial) agreement (‘IVA’) in connection with personal debt owed to creditors. In accordance with a rule of the Bar training rules, the Inn had referred the matter to its Conduct Committee because the student applicant had been the subject of such a financial order.

The Conduct Committee accepted in full the written representations to it of the student applicant on which Abigail had advised.

Consequently the student applicant was notified of the decision made in her favour. The result is that she is eligible to be Called to the Bar.

The panel accepted the student applicant’s submissions to it as follows. No vulnerable creditors were involved. The amount was relatively small. The nature of the agreement had been voluntary. There was a possibility that the student had been given wrong advice by the student’s bank. The panel considered that the student is a fit and proper person to remain a member of the Inn and to be Called to the Bar.