Leigh Day and three of its lawyers cleared at SDT over Iraq claims

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last week found that allegations of misconduct against claimant law firm Leigh Day and three of its lawyers not proved.

The case against the high-profile firm, senior partner Martin Day, partner Sapna Malik and solicitor Anna Crowther was heard between 24 April and 2 June 2017.

A solicitor member of the tribunal, Richard Hegarty, dissented with the majority in relation to certain of the allegations.

The case is reported to have been the longest and most expensive in the history of the SDT. A key element of the case was Leigh Day’s conduct when bringing claims over British soldiers’ conduct during the Iraq war.

In a statement on the decision Martyn Day said: "We are pleased that the Tribunal has cleared us of all the charges, and confirmed our view that we did not act improperly or dishonestly in these legal claims against the Ministry of Defence.
 
"For nearly 40 years I have battled on behalf of the ordinary man and woman in this country and abroad to ensure they get access to justice not least when they face the might of British multinationals or Government. I am very pleased that I and my colleagues can now get back to doing the work we love.
 
"We would like to thank our insurers and our fantastic legal team and Counsel for all their hard work over the past couple of years, and during this hearing, and all those within the legal world and beyond who have given us such strong support.”