High Court judgment regarding Haringey Law Centre: our statement

As the national membership body for Law Centres, we have followed closely the High Court’s regulatory ruling in the case of Haringey Law Centre.

The court has found the Law Centre’s paralegal working on the case “is not at fault in any way” and has “acted appropriately throughout”. It also found that “there is no basis… to suspect” that the Law Centre’s senior solicitor deliberately caused false material to be put before the court. The Solicitors Regulation Authority will now separately consider the senior solicitor’s conduct in the case.

The judges have acknowledged that the Law Centre provides an important service. We strongly agree with them that, in serving vulnerable members of society with limited resources, as Law Centres do, “it is all the more important that professional standards are maintained.” This principle has guided us through six decades of serving communities across the UK.

The judges have concluded that current practice guidance from legal regulators is “insufficient” and more needs to be done to ensure that it is followed. LCN will continue to support Law Centres to follow this guidance, and with it provide training, tools and advice in relevant fields such as legal practice, governance, professional ethics and responsible digital use.

This serious incident has been unusual, and we have every intention that it remain so.