A solicitor has been fined for sending approximately 250 letters to schools regarding COVID-19 protocols, letters which were deemed to have ‘threatening’ language by a legal tribunal. The solicitor argued that the letters were meant as warnings, but the tribunal concluded that the tone and content were inappropriate, violating professional conduct standards.
The letters, reportedly cautioning schools on the legality of certain COVID-19 measures, raised concerns among recipients. The tribunal ruled that the solicitor’s actions went beyond a ‘friendly warning,’ resulting in a fine and a formal reprimand.
This case underscores the importance of maintaining professional language and decorum, especially when dealing with sensitive topics. The tribunal’s decision serves as a reminder to legal practitioners to consider the impact of their communications on recipients.
