Suzanne McKie KC quoted by Legal Business on High Court ruling in Beckwith case

On Friday 27 November 2020 the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal’s finding against ex-Freshfields partner Ryan Beckwith was overturned. Suzanne McKie QC has been quoted by Legal Business with regards to the High Court ruling.

Legal Business reports that the High Court’s decision has sent “shockwaves” through the legal industry and has arguably caused a setback in any progress made by the Solicitors Regulation Authority since the start of the #MeToo movement. Beckwith, who was accused of sexual misconduct, has had all findings against him reversed.

Suzanne McKie QC agrees with the High Court in relation to the SDT’s “flawed“ reasoning of whether Person A consented to sexual activity. Her comments on the ruling are as follows: “The tribunal decision was a bit of a mess. It wasn’t reached on the basis the sex was non-consensual because of the level of intoxication. The SDT found as a fact that Beckwith didn’t abuse his position, perhaps because she was leaving and he no longer had any authority over her. The tribunal also doesn’t find that Person A was vulnerable. So the activity is essentially private and consensual, happening in a private place away from the office. You can’t say it brings the profession into disrepute and you can’t hold lawyers up to a much higher standard in their personal life than anyone else.”

To read the full article, click here.

For further press enquiries, please contact Suzanne McKie directly.

Source: Legal Business.