It will argue MacLeod, between 11 April 2024 and 31 July 2024, failed to co-operate fully with the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry by refusing to give oral evidence to the inquiry, in person or via video link from Australia.
James Hartley, partner at Freeths, who represented subpostmasters in Bates v The Post Office, said: ‘What’s interesting about this development is that it’s based on professional conduct that occurred more than 20 years after the Horizon system was rolled out... relating to overarching obligations on solicitors to support the authorities in getting to the truth and the obligation to treat clients fairly and properly.’
The SRA is also referring solicitor Nicholas Simon Barry Gould, of Impact Lawyers, to the tribunal for failing to inform clients adequately about costs, among other matters.
In both cases, the allegations are as yet unproven.
