Respondent AC

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

Respondent AC, a partner at a law firm, sang a sexualised song naming a junior trainee (Person A) and made accompanying sexual gestures at the firm's December 2017 Christmas event, recorded on video. He admitted the allegation, but the Tribunal held a Newton-style hearing to resolve the factual dispute over whether the conduct was provoked by an invitation from Person A to say something outrageous. The Tribunal found, on the Applicant's evidence, it could not be satisfied the conduct was unprovoked, and proceeded on the Respondent's version. Breaches of Principles 2, 6 and 9 were proved. No express finding of dishonesty was made (lack of integrity only). The Tribunal assessed misconduct as very serious and imposed a Level 4 fine of £23,000 plus £22,800 costs. The Respondent and Person A were anonymised on medical grounds.

Duties found breached:

• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct was sexual in nature
• Abuse of his position of seniority/power as a partner over a trainee
• He knew or ought reasonably to have known the conduct breached his obligations to protect the public and reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Single isolated episode
• Conduct comprised only six seconds
• Demonstrable insight shown
• Open and frank admissions to the gravamen of the misconduct
• No previous disciplinary history
• Character references
• Conduct precipitated by an invitation from Person A to say something outrageous/naughty
• Unreserved apology offered