Today (September 30), the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) heard the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) case against Ryan Beckwith – the first act in a 10-day long hearing against the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner, who stands accused of having engaged in sexual activity with one of his associates without consent.
In the space of two and a half hours, the tribunal heard allegations of a deep-rooted drinking culture at the Magic Circle firm, of partners routinely encouraging junior staff to go for after-work drinks, and footing substantial bar tabs. And of an in-house counsel that encouraged the complainant – known only as Person A – to avoid discussing the matter with people at the firm.
