Evan Wright represented a solicitor facing allegations of assault. Representation involved making submissions to an employer about the SRA rules on reporting criminal investigations and representation in the criminal investigation itself. Evan attended the police interview with the client and subsequently made written submissions to the police about the reasonable lines of enquiry to follow. This was followed by legal and factual argument on whether the matter met the evidential and public interest threshold.  The police took advice from the CPS and decided to take no further action. There was no need to report the matter to the SRA and Evan explained the outcome to the client’s employer to assist with their own investigation into conduct. It was a very favourable outcome, having regard to the client’s reliance upon their integrity and employment. The case underlined the importance of structuring representations around the prosecutor’s full code test and obliging the police to follow reasonable lines of enquiry to assist the defence in presenting a balanced view of what occurred.

Evan Wright is a dual qualified solicitor and barrister. He acts as a barrister at JMW in professional regulation cases, as well as associated criminal investigations and prosecutions.