But not struck off…
A criminal law specialist found guilty of stalking his ex-lover earlier this summer has been suspended by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Jonathan Simpson was handed a six month custodial sentence, suspended for a year, at Southwark Crown Court in June for stalking his former mistress and by doing so causing her serious alarm and distress.
Legal Cheek reported at the time he had sent a number of letters to his ex-partner and her family and even showed up at her eldest child’s school. Simpson was already the subject of a restraining order and police warning when the stalking occurred. Formerly of London’s Charter Chambers, the experienced barrister was also given a year-long restraining order and a “mental health treatment requirement”.
Barrister Jonathan Simpson suspended for 12 months following conviction for stalking – read more https://t.co/4LLwgSQbp6
— Bar Standards Board (@barstandards) December 12, 2016
His 49-year-old wife Katherine — a property law specialist and head of residential real estate at central London firm Pemberton Greenish — was given a 12-month restraining order and curfew for her own campaign against Simpson’s ex-partner. She faces a separate disciplinary hearing at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in February.
Simpson — who was represented by 2 Bedford Row’s Ian Stern QC — was yesterday barred from practising as a barrister for 12 months, a spokesperson noting:
A conviction for stalking is a serious matter. Mr Simpson’s conduct was below the standard expected of barristers. A suspension from practice reflects this.