Matthew James Machen Barker

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

The Respondent, a senior partner at Clarke Willmott LLP, engaged in inappropriate, unwanted and sexually motivated conduct towards Person A, a newly promoted partner, at a firm away weekend in June 2012. He entered her hotel room uninvited, refused to leave when repeatedly asked, made sexually explicit comments, rubbed her back and tried to pull her to the bed, and later sent a text message. The Tribunal found all allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt, finding breaches of Principles 2 and 6 and failure to achieve Outcome 11.1. The conduct was found to be sexually motivated but not planned. No dishonesty was alleged or found (finding was of lack of integrity). The Respondent did not attend and the hearing proceeded in his absence. He was suspended for 9 months and ordered to pay costs of £11,000.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Abuse of power or authority given his seniority over the newly promoted partner (Person A)
• High level of culpability as an experienced senior solicitor

Mitigating factors:

• Prompt and unreserved apology
• Stepped down from the Management Board
• Single episode in a previously unblemished career
• Genuine insight
• Open and frank admissions at an early stage
• Personal and health difficulties affecting the Respondent at the relevant time