Barrister fined £3,000 for drinking alcohol during court break

Dominic Charles D’Souza, a barrister with over 30 years at the Bar, has been fined £3,000 by the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service after admitting to consuming alcohol during a criminal trial break.

The incident occurred in March 2023 at Snaresbrook Crown Court, where D’Souza was representing a defendant. During a pause in proceedings, he was found drinking alcohol while sitting in his car in the court’s parking area. The type of alcohol consumed was not revealed.

His behavior prompted a report to the presiding judge, after which D’Souza withdrew from the case. The jury was discharged, and a fresh trial date was set, resulting in delays and added costs to the justice process.

The three-member disciplinary panel found that D’Souza’s conduct

Was likely to undermine public trust in him and in the legal profession,

Could foreseeably interfere with the administration of justice,

And contributed to wasting the court’s time.

D’Souza admitted to all three charges. He was fined £1,000 per charge and ordered to pay an additional £2,670 in costs.

The tribunal’s ruling is subject to appeal.