Navjot Sidhu KC

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

Navjot (Jo) Sidhu KC faced 15 charges of sexual professional misconduct involving three complainants; most were struck out or dismissed. Three charges (2, 4 and 6) relating to Person 2, a mini-pupil, were found proved under Core Duty 5. On 26 November 2018 he invited her to his hotel room ostensibly to work, then persuaded her to stay overnight and initiated sexual activity. The Tribunal could not be sure (criminal standard) the sexual activity was unwanted/non-consensual, but found the invitation and initiation of sexual activity were inappropriate and that he knew or ought to have known this, breaching CD5. No dishonesty was alleged or found. By a 3-2 majority the Tribunal placed the misconduct in the upper range and imposed disbarment; the minority favoured a 25-month suspension. No order for costs was made against either party. Publication was ordered.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Respondent's senior level of experience and prominent position at the Bar
• Intentional misconduct motivated by his own sexual gratification
• Use of professional position/breach of a position of trust
• Misconduct directed at a person in a vulnerable situation with significant disparity in seniority
• Involved planning and, though a one-off incident, was sustained

Mitigating factors:

• Previous good character with no prior disciplinary findings
• Numerous positive character references praising his dedication and promotion of diversity/inclusion at the Bar