Barrister disbarred over £150,000 fees inappropriately paid by Legal Aid Agency

Lewis Tresman, called by Gray’s Inn in November 1980, was said to have knowingly allowed Staple Inn Chambers to invoice his professional fees with VAT added. With approximately £150,000 being inappropriately paid by the Legal Aid Agency as a result and around £18,000 from private clients. The Bar Standards Board said that this had continued over 15 years.

Tresman faced four charges, the first two referred to dates from June 2007 until 5 January 2014 and the other two related to 6 January 2014 until 23 February 2023. He admitted two of the charges and the other two were found proved by a five-person tribunal.

The Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service made findings of professional misconduct contrary to Core Duty 3 and 5 of the Bar Standards Board handbook.

Tresman was subsequently disbarred and no costs order was made. The tribunal, (unanimous in its decision), also ordered the Bar Standards Board suspend his practising certificate immediately.

The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.

Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson stated:

‘Mr Tresman plainly benefited financially by dishonestly taking other people’s money over many years. The tribunal’s decision to disbar Mr Tresman rightly demonstrates that such conduct is manifestly incompatible with the high standards expected of the bar.’