Matthew Boyden

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

Matthew John Boyden, an unregistered barrister prohibited from holding a practising certificate, was found to have committed ten charges of professional misconduct across two charge sheets. He dishonestly gave the impression he was authorised to practise when appearing at the Magistrates' Court and completing court forms in July 2019, and dishonestly caused his employer's website to describe him as a 'commercial barrister' while prohibited from applying for a practising certificate. He also failed to pay a £1,770 costs order and repeatedly failed to co-operate with the BSB. The Tribunal made express findings of dishonesty. He did not attend; the hearing proceeded in his absence. Finding no mitigating factors and no exceptional circumstances, and given his appalling history, the Tribunal disbarred him and ordered costs of £4,041.96.

Duties found breached:

• Overriding duty to the court
• Honesty
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Cooperate openly with regulators
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Appalling history of not responding to requests or complying with regulator's orders
• Repetition of misconduct shortly after being sanctioned in 2019 and 2021
• Disregard for sanctions and restrictions previously imposed
• Risk of further deliberate repetition and potential harm to the public
• Persistent failure to communicate with BSB or Tribunal