Disciplinary Record - Joseph Noel Sykes

Charge 1

Joseph Sykes, between 8th March 2001 and 25th March 2002, took instructions directly from a lay client, Mr Andrew Birch and supplied services to him, in breach of 401(a) and (b)(i) and (ii) and 901 of the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales

Charge 2

Joseph Sykes, between 8th March 2001 and 25th March 2002, supplied legal services to a member of the public, Mr Andrew Birch, through a company, Employment Cases Direct Limited, in breach of paragraphs 205 and 901 of he Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales.

Charge 3

Joseph Sykes, between 28th March 2001 and 25th April 2001, compromised a claim on behalf of Mr Birch in the employment tribunal and all claims arising out of his employment and the termination thereof, which include wording which prevented Mr Birch from proceedings with a separate civil court action and which he had instructed Mr Sykes should not be included in the final compromise agreement. As a consequence of the same, Mr Birch was unable to issue civil court proceedings to recover monies for his overtime claim against his former employers. This act was committed in breach of paragraphs 701(a) and 901 of the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales, in that Mr Sykes failed to act with reasonable competence in carrying out his professional duties.

Charge 10

Joseph Sykes, between 8th March 2001 and 25th March 2002, engaged in conduct, set out in the above charges, which was likely to diminish public confidence in the legal profession or the administration of justice or otherwise bringing the legal profession into disrepute, in breach of paragraphs 301(a)(iii) and 901 of the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales (7th Edition).