A legal assistant has been banned from working in the legal profession, after it emerged he lied about passing his exams.
Benjamin Lewis Clark wanted his law firm to pay for the course fees due to having financial problems.
But when his dishonesty was discovered, Mr Clark agreed with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to make a Section 43 Order, which prevents him from working in his chosen profession. If he wishes to work in the legal industry again he needs to ask the SRA’s permission.
Mr Clark was being supported by his firm to achieve his qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). The firm offered to pay the course fees if he successfully passed the course.
In February 2020, Mr Clark discovered he had failed his exams, but lied to his employer. Mr Clark’s dishonesty went further, when his employer asked for proof of his success.
He provided the firm with his ‘results letter’ from CILEx, which was infact doctored to show the fake results. He then received £1,275 from the firm for the course.
Thinking he was home and dry, Mr Clark didn’t account for his employer contacting CILEx to discuss the next stage of his studies. When his dishonestly was uncovered the firm suspended and subsequently terminated his employment at the end of March 2020.
When deciding to ban him from legal practice, the SRA concluded that Mr Clark’s conduct has made it “undesirable” for him to be involved in legal practice.
