Date
10 October 2013
Charges
The charges brought against Mrs Grant were:
Charge 1
Failing to uphold the rule of law and the impartial administration of justice, contrary to Principle 1 of the IPS Code of Conduct for ILEX/CILEx members.
The Particulars were that on 6 September 2011 Oonagh Grant, an Affiliate Member of CILEx was convicted of 10 counts of theft from her employer, Manches LLP, in consequence of which an order pursuant to Section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974 was made against her on 30 April 2012.
Charge 2
Failing to declare to ILEX Professional Standards and/or ILEX/CILEx two matters of prior conduct, contrary to Principle 4 of the Code of Conduct for ILEX/CILEx members and/or Rule 10(1) of the Investigation Disciplinary and Appeals Rules and/or Rule 11 of the Investigation Disciplinary and Appeals Rules.
The Particulars were that Oonagh Grant, an Affiliate Member of CILEx failed to declare at the earliest opportunity, and, in any event, on the annual subscription form:
(i) that she was convicted of 10 counts of theft on 6 September 2011; and
(ii) that an order pursuant to Section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974 had been made against her on 30 April 2012.
Charge 3
Failing to co-operate with ILEX Professional Standards and/or comply with and respond to reasonable enquiries made on behalf of ILEX Professional Standards contrary to Principle 4 of the Code of Conduct for ILEX/CILEx members and/or Rule 21 (g) of the Investigation Disciplinary and Appeals Rules (IDAR).
The Particulars were that Oonagh Grant, an Affiliate Member of CILEx failed to respond to the reasonable enquiries made of her on behalf of ILEX Professional Standards in connection to a conduct investigation concerning her prior conduct.
Outcome
All charges were found proven.
Sanction – Indefinite exclusion
The Disciplinary Tribunal ordered Mrs Grant be excluded from membership for an indefinite period.
