Date
21 September 2023
Charges
Craig Johnson, a CILEx Paralegal Member (ACILEX), admits the following allegations of professional misconduct:
Allegation 1
Allegation 1a
Craig Johnson failed to maintain high standards of professional and personal conduct and justify public trust in himself, his profession, and the provision of legal services.
Contrary to Principle 2, Outcome 2.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct 2019
Allegation 1b
Craig Johnson failed to behave with integrity.
Contrary to Principle 3, Outcome 3.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct 2019
In that on or about the 5th April 2022 he misled or attempted to mislead CILEx Regulation into believing that he had acted as a police station representative on one occasion only, by instructing his solicitor to inform CILEx Regulation that “on one discrete and isolated occasion” he made “an error of judgement and attended a police station interview when this was not true and had attended such interviews in that capacity previously.
Allegation 2
Allegation 2a
Craig Johnson failed to maintain high standards of professional and personal conduct and justify public trust in himself, his profession, and the provision of legal services
Contrary to Principle 2, Outcome 2.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct 2019
Allegation 2b
Craig Johnson failed to behave with honesty and integrity.
Contrary to Principle 3, Outcomes 3.1 and 3.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct 2019
Allegation 2c
Craig Johnson failed to comply with his legal and regulatory obligations and deal with his regulators openly, promptly and co-operatively.
Contrary to Principle 4, Outcome 4.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct 2019
In that on 24 November 2020 when he applied for CILEX membership, and when renewing his membership in 2021 and 2022, he misled or attempted to mislead CILEX and/or CILEx Regulation into believing he had not engaged in any conduct that may be relevant to his suitability to become a CILEX member, including the fact that:
- he was investigated and sanctioned (warning) by the National Association of Licensed Paralegals
- he was arrested in July 2022 and is currently under investigation by the police for allegations of fraud
Craig Johnson knew or ought to have known that such conduct should have been disclosed to CILEX Regulation at the earliest opportunity in accordance with Rules 11 and 12 of the CILEx Regulation Enforcement Rules but he failed to do so.
Allegation 3
Allegation 3a
Craig Johnson failed to maintain high standards of professional and personal conduct and justify public trust in himself, his profession, and the provision of legal services.
Contrary to Principle 2, Outcome 2.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct 2019
Allegation 3b
Craig Johnson failed to behave with integrity.
Contrary to Principle 3, Outcome 3.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct 2019
In that on 19 June 2023, he set up a company, National Legal Consultants Ltd (NLC), which claimed on its website to have regulatory oversight of legal consultancy companies. Craig Johnson knew or ought to have known that the information on his website would mislead the public and consumers into believing that it was an independent and objective regulator when it was not.
Allegation 4
Allegation 4a
Craig Johnson failed to maintain high standards of professional and personal conduct and justify public trust in himself, his profession, and the provision of legal services.
Contrary to Principle 2, Outcome 2.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct 2019
Allegation 4b
Craig Johnson failed to behave with honesty and integrity.
Contrary to Principle 3, Outcome 3.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct 2019
In that in a judgment dated 23rd August 2023, Craig Johnson was found, following his admissions at a hearing at the Royal Court of Justice on 23 August 2023, that he had drawn up an order dated the 23 December 2021 “granting the Petitioner’s Petition for Divorce” which was not genuine. Mr Johnson has also admitted to a further two instances where he has drafted non-genuine court orders or papers.
Outcome – DBC
CILEx Regulation accepted the admission and agreed a Determination by Consent with Craig Johnson with the following sanction(s).
Sanction – Exclusion
Craig Johnson was excluded from CILEx membership for 15 years, after which time he will not be entitled to automatic reinstatement.
