Carly Walters

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

Barrister Carly Sarah Walters was found to have acted dishonestly by falsely telling a prospective employer during a February 2022 interview that she had no unspent convictions, despite a September 2020 drink-driving conviction and disqualification. All four charges (CD3, rC9.1, CD5, rC8) were proved. The panel found Category A dishonesty involving a deliberate lie for gain. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the tribunal ordered disbarment plus £250 costs, and an order that no practising certificate be issued pending appeal.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• Honesty
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate lie maintained throughout employment, not a fleeting lapse
• Lie told for personal gain (to obtain position in law firm)
• 2016 drink driving conviction (found to be lack of integrity) a relevant factor
• Significant level of professional experience (called 2005, ~17 years qualified)

Mitigating factors:

• Early admission of misconduct
• Demonstrated genuine and compelling remorse
• Cooperated with investigation
• Significant difficult personal circumstances including chronic alcohol misuse being addressed
• Father's ill health impacting emotional wellbeing