David Friesner

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

David Jonathan Friesner, a barrister called in 1988, engaged in dishonest and discreditable conduct by taking 12 unauthorised loans/advances totalling £72,500 from his chambers between October 2008 and November 2009. He pleaded guilty to and was convicted of theft at Leeds Crown Court in January 2012 and was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment. The Disciplinary Tribunal found the conduct dishonest and likely to diminish public confidence in the legal profession, and disbarred him.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No improper use of client money
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues