Disciplinary Record - Michael John Baker

Decision - Prosecution

Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal

Outcome date: 4 September 2023

Published date: 29 January 2024

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Baker McDonald

Address(es): The Old Bat & Ball, St Johns Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3PF

Firm ID: 079285

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Reasons/basis

Outcome of SDT Hearing

This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. This is an independent Tribunal which reaches its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Respondent. The Tribunal had certified that there was a case to answer.

On 30 May 2024 the SDT considered and approved an Agreed Outcome.   

Mr. Baker was suspended from practice as a solicitor for the period of 5 years to commence on the 30th day of May 2024  

The SDT judgment will be available at  www.solicitorstribunal.org.uk

Decision - Control of practice

Outcome: Condition

Outcome date: 13 March 2023

Published date: 17 April 2023

Firm details

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

Name: Baker Macdonald

Address(es): The Old Bat & Ball, St Johns Hill, Sevenoaks, TN13 3PF

Firm ID: 79285

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Michael Baker's practising certificate for 2022/2023 has been granted subject to the following conditions:

1. Mr Baker may act as a solicitor, only as an employee whose role has first been approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
2. Mr Baker may not act as a manager or owner of any authorised body.
3. Mr Baker does not hold, receive or have access to client money, or act as a signatory to any client or office account, or have the power to authorise electronic transfers from any client or office account.
4. Mr Baker may not act as a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA) for any authorised body or authorised non-SRA firm.

In these conditions the terms are as defined in the SRA Glossary.

Reasons/basis

The above conditions are necessary in the public interest and reasonable and proportionate having regard to the purposes set out in regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations, and the regulatory objectives and principles governing regulatory activities as contained in section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007.

Decision - Control of practice

Outcome: Condition

Outcome date: 29 June 2022

Published date: 7 July 2022

Firm details

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

Name: Baker Macdonald

Address(es): The Old Bat & Ball, St Johns Hill, Sevenoaks, TN13 3PF,England

Firm ID: 79285

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Michael John Baker’s practising certificate for 2021/2022 has been granted subject to the following conditions:

1. Mr Baker may not act as a manager or owner of any authorised body.
2. Mr Baker may act as a solicitor, only as an employee whose role has first been approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
3. Mr Baker may not act as a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA) for any authorised body or authorised non-SRA firm.
4. Mr Baker may not hold, receive or have access to client money, or act as a signatory to any client or office account, or have the power to authorise electronic transfers from a client or office account.

In these conditions, the terms are as defined in the SRA Glossary.

Reasons/basis

The above conditions are necessary in the public interest and reasonable and proportionate having regard to the purposes set out in regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations and the regulatory objectives and principles governing regulatory activities as contained in section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007.