Date
10th December 2025
Decision
Warning, Reprimand and Condition
Charges
The Disciplinary Tribunal (DT) found the following charges of professional misconduct against Emma Burns proven on the balance of probabilities:
Charge 1
Emma Burns failed to maintain high standards of professional and personal conduct and justify public trust in herself, her profession, and the provision of legal services by engaging in conduct which could undermine or affect adversely the confidence and trust placed in her and her profession by her client, her employer, professional colleagues, the public and others.
Contrary to Principle 2, Outcome 2.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct
Charge 2:
Emma Burns failed to comply with her legal and regulatory obligations and deal with regulators and ombudsmen openly, promptly and co-operatively by failing to take all practicable steps to ensure she can demonstrate that she has adhered to the core Principles and met the associated Outcomes.
Contrary to Principle 4, Outcome 4.2 of the CILEX Code of Conduct
Particulars
Following a warning by the CILEx Regulation Professional Conduct Panel (PCP) on 12 May 2022 as to her future conduct following a conviction for a similar offence, Emma Burns, an Advanced Paralegal Member of CILEX, was convicted for a second time during the course of her CILEX membership on 30 May 2023 for the offence of driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol, contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. In consequence, another regulatory body, namely the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) found that Ms Burns had failed to behave in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors’ profession and in legal services and issued Ms Burns with a fine. The SRA decision, together with Ms Burns’ CILEX membership status is published online.
Outcome
The Disciplinary Tribunal found the above charges proven on the balance of probabilities.
Sanction – Indefinite exclusion
In accordance with Rules 30(5)(ii) and 30(5)(iii) of the CILEx Regulation Enforcement Rules, the Tribunal ordered that Ms Burns be reprimanded in respect of her past conduct and warned in respect of her future conduct. In addition, the Panel imposed a condition that Ms Burns shall not be permitted to apply for a higher level of membership than she currently holds for a period of 24 months, from the date of the Order.
