Benedicte Mabika

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Ms Benedicte Mabika, called to the Bar in November 2023, admitted one charge of professional misconduct (CD5 and/or rC8) arising from her 18 July 2024 conviction at Nottingham Magistrates Court for assault occasioning actual bodily harm (s.47 Offences Against the Person Act 1861). On 23 December 2023 she threw a bottle at a victim, causing a cut above the eye, acting recklessly in unusual circumstances where she said the victim was threatening her sister. The Magistrates fined her £858 plus £100 compensation, £343 victim surcharge and £85 costs (total £1,386). The Tribunal found the conduct in the Lower Range, with low-to-moderate culpability, and considered the conviction the only aggravating factor against considerable mitigation. It declined to impose a fine, issuing a Formal Reprimand and ordering a £500 contribution to the BSB's costs. No finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• The misconduct led to a criminal conviction

Mitigating factors:

• Admissions made in police interview
• Guilty plea at the first opportunity in the Magistrates Court
• Prompt admission of the charge before the Tribunal
• Complete remorse and regret expressed
• Isolated incident and out of character; no prior matters recorded
• Young, recently called to the Bar
• Currently unregistered and not employed as a barrister; little ongoing risk to public
• Limited disposable income; still paying the Magistrates Court fine
• Positive professional and personal character references