Raymond John McKeeve

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

Raymond John McKeeve, a Registered Foreign Lawyer and partner at Jones Day, instructed an IT manager to 'burn it' (delete the 3CX messaging platform) on 4 July 2019 shortly after being told a search order to preserve evidence had been obtained. The deletion irretrievably destroyed material and led to a High Court finding that he was criminally liable for contempt of court (Ground 5). He admitted breaching Principles 1, 2 and 6 and Outcome 5.4. The Tribunal found culpability medium and harm high, no dishonesty, and imposed a 2-year suspension plus £20,000 costs (reduced from £30,930).

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Aggravating factors:

• Determination that he was criminally liable for contempt of court
• Seniority as an experienced solicitor

Mitigating factors:

• Cooperation with the SRA investigation and proceedings
• Single episode of very brief duration
• Previously unblemished professional career of over 25 years
• Demonstrated insight, remorse and remediation
• No dishonesty and no premeditation
• Not acting for personal financial or tactical gain
• Acting outside his area of expertise (not a litigator)