She had quite a ride
High profile barrister and former judge Constance Briscoe has been disbarred after she was jailed for perverting the course of justice.
The news formally marks the end of Briscoe’s legal career, and comes nearly two years after she was sentenced to 16 months in jail for misleading the police in the Chris Huhne-Vicky Pryce speeding points farrago.
At the time, Briscoe — who used to sit as a Crown Court judge herself — was told by Mr Justice Baker:
When you came to provide your two witness statements to the police you painted a wholly misleading picture of impartiality.
He added that Briscoe was helping Pryce attempt to bring about “the downfall” of Huhne. Former Lib Dem MP Huhne and his top economist wife Pryce also ended up in prison as a result of the saga — which came about after the politician passed speeding points to his then wife.
Today, roaring into action, an independent bar disciplinary tribunal struck Briscoe off, deeming her conduct “dishonest and discreditable to a barrister”, “prejudicial to the administration of justice” and “likely to diminish public confidence in the legal profession”.
Briscoe was called to the bar at Inner Temple in 1983 having studied law at Newcastle University. Having worked under legendary barristers Michael Mansfield QC and Barbara Calvert QC she was appointed a part-time assistant recorder, sitting in the Crown Court.
Meanwhile, she penned an acclaimed memoir about her tough childhood and rise to the bar called Ugly, published in 2006. These achievements led to her being incorrectly dubbed “Britain’s top black judge” repeatedly by newspapers.
A Bar Standards Board spokesperson said:
We note the decision of the Tribunal to disbar Miss Briscoe. Attempting to pervert the course of justice is clearly incompatible with the high standards expected of the Bar and the decision reflects this.