“Harry Potter” lawyer will have initial case management hearing in early November
The controversial solicitor-advocate Alan Blacker, otherwise known as “Lord Harley of Counsel”, is to face a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) hearing. The tribunal adjudicates for alleged breaches of the rules and regulations applicable to solicitors and their firms.
A representative from the SDT confirmed to Legal Cheek via a phone call that Blacker — who hit headlines back in August last year after an in-court dusting down by judge David Wynn Morgan for “looking like something out of Harry Potter” — will have an initial case management hearing on 4 November. Blacker’s use of the “Lord” title and bizarre LinkedIn profile have attracted widespread criticism.
Legal Cheek understands that Blacker — a self-employed solicitor-advocate who is based in Heywood, Lancashire — will have the hearing at 9:30am.
The tribunal has the power to impose suspension, fines and even strike members of the profession off the Solicitors Roll, among other sanctions.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) was unable to reveal when the specific charges facing Blacker will be made public, but it did confirm that a pre-case management hearing had been scheduled for 4 November.
Earlier this year, Legal Cheek revealed that Blacker had received a written apology from the SRA in relation to a miscommunication regarding a lost file.
Taking to his personal LinkedIn page, Blacker claimed the SRA’s apology was in relation to “racism”.
However the solicitors’ watchdog made clear in a statement issued at the time that grievances in relation to this were not upheld by the independent complaints body.
All decisions by the SDT are subject to a right of appeal to the High Court. Blacker did not responded to Legal Cheek’s request for comment.