Disciplinary Record - David Owen

Decision - Sanction

Outcome: Rebuke

Outcome date: 16 January 2024

Published date: 1 February 2024

Firm details

Firm or organisation at date of publication and at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Layton-Law.com

Address(es): 3-5 Westcliffe Drive, Blackpool, FY3 7BJ

Firm ID: 71914

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Written Rebuke and SRA Costs of £600

Reasons/basis

Who does this disciplinary decision relate to?

Mr David Owen (SRA ID: 136256) is a solicitor and owner of Layton-Law.com, a recognised sole practice based in Blackpool.

Summary of decision

We have issued Mr Owen with a rebuke for breaching Principle 6 of the SRA Principles 2011 (You must behave in a way that maintains the trust the public places in you and in the provision of legal services).

Facts of the misconduct

It was found that between September 2016 and April 2018, Mr David Owen used his Facebook account to publicly communicate content that was offensive, inappropriate and/or discriminatory. The content was contained in four social media posts on his Facebook account.

It was found that Mr Owen had failed to act in a way that maintains the trust that the public places in him as a solicitor, and in the provision of legal services by authorised persons in breach of Principle 6 of the SRA Principles 2011.

Mr Owen has admitted the conduct. He has removed the posts and expressed remorse.

Decision on sanction

It was decided that a rebuke was an appropriate and proportionate sanction.

Mr Owen was issued with a written rebuke and ordered to pay costs of £600.

This was because Mr Owen’s conduct was serious by reference to the following factors in the SRA Enforcement Strategy:

1. Mr Owen had direct responsibility for his conduct and full control over his behaviour.
2. There were several posts made by Mr Owen which indicates a pattern of behaviour. Although the posts have now been removed, they persisted for a significant period of time.
3. A public sanction is required to maintain standards and to acknowledge there has been a breach of regulatory requirements given the finding that he breached Principle 6 of the SRA Principles 2011.
4. A rebuke will deter him, and others, from similar behaviour in the future.

SRA Principles 2011

Principle 6 You must behave in a way that maintains the trust the public places in you and in the provision of legal services