Disciplinary Record - Matthew John Boyden

Barrister Status:

Disbarred

Called:

Jul 2007

Inn:

Middle Temple

Hearing type:

Disciplinary Tribunal (5 Person)

Decision date

12/01/2023

Breach details:

Professional misconduct contrary to Core Duty 1, Core Duty 5,Core Duty 9, Core Duty 10 of the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales (9th Edition), Bar Standards Board Handbook (Version 4), and professional misconduct contrary to rules 6 and 8 of the Scope of Practice, Authorisation and Licensing Rules.

Offence details:

Matthew Boyden, who at all material times was an unregistered barrister, and who was not entitled to hold a practising certificate throughout the period 22 March 2019 to 22 March 2022, failed to observe his duty to the court in the administration of justice on 10 July 2019 when he:

.1 In a Preparation for Effective Trial form (case number 1900075685), gave his personal details for service of documents by the parties and by the court, and in doing so dishonestly gave the misleading impression, to the court and to others, that he was authorised to undertake a reserved legal activity (the conduct of litigation), and/or to practise as a barrister; and/or

.2 Appeared before the Magistrates’ Court on behalf of the Defendant (case number 1900075685), which was a public hearing, and in doing so he dishonestly gave the misleading impression, to the court and to others, that he was authorised to exercise a right of audience, which is a reserved legal activity, and/or to practise as a barrister; and/or

Matthew Boyden, who at all material times was an unregistered barrister, and who was not entitled to hold a practising certificate throughout the period 22 March 2019 to 22 March 2022, practised as a barrister and/or undertook reserved legal activities on or around 10 July 2019 in that he:

.1 In a Preparation for Effective Trial form (case number 1900075685), gave his personal details for service of documents by the parties and by the court, which amounted to the conduct of litigation, and in doing so undertook a reserved legal activity, and/or he practised as a barrister; and/or

.2 Appeared before the Magistrates’ Court on behalf of the Defendant (case number 1900075685), which was a public hearing, and in doing so he exercised a right of audience, which is a reserved legal activity, and/or he practised as a barrister.

Matthew Boyden, who at all material times was an unregistered barrister, and who was not entitled to hold a practising certificate throughout the period 22 March 2019 to 22 March 2022, behaved in a way which is likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public placed in him and in the profession on 10 July 2019 in that he:

.1 In a Preparation for Effective Trial form (case number 1900075685), gave his personal details for service of documents by the parties and by the court, which amounted to the conduct of litigation, and in doing so undertook a reserved legal activity, and/or he practised as a barrister; and/or

.2 Appeared before the Magistrates’ Court on behalf of the Defendant (case number 1900075685), which was a public hearing, and in doing so he exercised a right of audience, which is a reserved legal activity, and/or he practised as a barrister.

Matthew Boyden failed to be open and co-operative with his regulator, the Bar Standards Board, in that between 27 November 2020 to 16 June 2022, he failed to respond promptly or at all, to requests for information sent in respect of a regulatory investigation under BSB case reference PC2020/1136.

Sanction:

Disbarred (sentence will come into effect on 8 February 2023).

Costs:

£¤4,041.96

Status:

Final