A former employee of a law firm has received a conditional ban after being convicted of assaulting colleagues during a work event.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed restrictions on Ian Bond, a former case progression officer at Patterson Law, a firm specialising in motoring law located in Devon. This decision follows Bond’s conviction for assaulting two colleagues in a nightclub after a work dinner.
The incident, which occurred on 1 October 2021, involved inappropriate and sexual touching of two colleagues by Bond in the early hours of the following morning. This behaviour prompted a formal complaint, leading to an internal investigation and subsequent report to police authorities.
Bond pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating at Exeter Combined Court on 15 January 2024. His sentence includes 50 hours of unpaid community service, an alcohol abstinence period of 120 days monitored electronically, and participation in a rehabilitation activity, alongside compensation of £500 to each victim.
As a result of his conviction, an order has been placed under section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974, preventing Bond from working in a legal practice without the SRA’s explicit permission in the future. Bond acknowledged the implications of his actions, admitting it would be unsuitable for him to engage in legal practice without prior approval from the SRA.
The SRA’s decision underscores their commitment to maintaining professional conduct and integrity within the legal sector.
