SRA v Ryan Beckwith and the regulation of the private lives of solicitors

In October 2019, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) upheld professional misconduct allegations against Mr Ryan Beckwith, an ex-magic circle partner. The Tribunal’s reasons were published on 30 January 2020.

The case provided the SDT the opportunity to deliver much needed guidance on how it and the SRA will judicate on solicitors' private lives. This article explores the (somewhat ambiguous) conclusions of the judgment and its wider application.