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Briefcase-on-a-train junior lawyer resumes legal career

A junior solicitor struck off in the jurisdiction of England and Wales after leaving confidential documents on a train will be able to resume legal work after the Solicitors Regulation Authority agreed to drop the case. 

Claire Matthews was facing a re-hearing of her case before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

The SRA has now asked the tribunal to withdraw the allegations completely, with no order as to costs, concluding proceedings. Matthews (29) has some conditions on her practising certificate.

Difficult situations

She said: “I hope that the outcome will help other junior solicitors who face similar, difficult situations, in knowing these decisions can sometimes be successfully challenged. I thank everyone who has kindly donated and offered their words of support. Without it, I could never have envisioned the result. I am sincerely grateful for all the hard work and effort put in by everyone involved.”

Matthews was struck off after an SDT hearing in March 2020, at which she represented herself.

The tribunal found that the newly qualified solicitor had misled her firm Capsticks LLP about client documents in a briefcase that she had left on a train.

Several senior lawyers worked pro bono on her case, and an appeal raised Stg £14,000.

Lawyer Emma Walker (Leigh Day) said the case showed the value of getting expert input in regulatory investigations and proceedings.