Financial Fraudster News Investigations has updated its report following a response from Shade Abiodun regarding our previous article, "Exclusive: Unregistered Legal Professionals Allegedly Expose Clients to Serious Harm."
Our earlier report raised concerns about Shade Abiodun, reportedly based at Ipswich firm THB Solicitors LLP, instructed bogus UK barrister Tunde Ogunsakin, who were alleged to be carrying out reserved legal work despite not being registered with the Law Society or the Bar Standards Board, respectively. We highlighted the potential for serious harm to vulnerable clients, including individuals held in prison.
Shade Abiodun's Response
Ms. Abiodun has provided links to regulatory registers, asserting that the information in our initial report is incorrect. She states that while she holds a current practicing certificate as a Barrister, she does not currently hold one as a Solicitor. She argues that this Barrister certification allows her to undertake reserved legal work.
Ms. Abiodun's provided links are as follows:
https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/barristers-register/24FF9A2FFCE0847202F7481CA3455A04.html - Counsel’s Bar Standards Board Register
https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/dr-tunde-okewale-mbe - Counsel’s chambers profile
https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/barristers-register/23D23EF729014537D6F7CF69067933DA.html - her Bar Standards Board Register
https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/register/person/?sraNumber=366050&prevSearchText=366050&prevSearchFilter= - her SRA profile, which she states shows she is not practising as a Solicitor
https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/register/organisation/?sraNumber=490446&prevSearchText=taylor%20haldane%20barlex&prevSearchFilter= - THB Solicitors LLP SRA profile
Ms. Abiodun contends that the initial report is "malicious and untrue" and requests its removal.
Financial Fraudster News Investigations legal contributor a former SRA investigator: Unpacking the Irregularities
The response from Ms. Abiodun, while providing a different perspective, raises further critical questions about the ethical and regulatory complexities at play. A spokesman for Financial Fraudster News Investigations Graham S. has issued the following commentary:
"Ms. Abiodun's response confirms that she is holding herself out as a Barrister. However, the fact remains that she is operating from the premises of a Solicitors firm, Taylor Haldane Barlex Solicitors LLP. This arrangement is highly irregular and raises serious ethical concerns.
It is trite that a Solicitor and a Barrister have clearly defined and separate roles within the English legal system. A Solicitor typically instructs a Barrister to provide specialist advocacy and advisory services. The Bar Standards Board's rules strictly govern how Barristers may provide legal services.
The Bar Standards Board Handbook states the core duties of Barristers which include the following:
You must act in the best interests of each client;
You must act with honesty and integrity;
You must maintain the independence of your professional conduct;
You must not do anything which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine your honesty, integrity and independence
In this case the following questions arise:
Why was it necessary for Taylor Haldane Barlex Solicitors LLP to instruct an unregistered Barrister in the first place?
What steps did Taylor Haldane Barlex Solicitors LLP take to verify the credentials of Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, and why
did they apparently fail to identify that he was not authorised to practice?
What is the professional relationship between Taylor Haldane Barlex Solicitors LLP and Ms Abiodun, and is this relationship compliant with the regulatory framework governing Solicitors and Barristers?
Is Ms Abiodun able to maintain the core duties of a Barrister, when she is working from a Solicitors firm?
The fact that an unregulated Barrister was instructed by Taylor Haldane Barlex Solicitors LLP and accepted those instructions is a serious regulatory breach.
Furthermore, the allegations that clients, particularly vulnerable individuals in the prison system, have suffered harm due to the actions of these individuals, underscores the potential gravity of the situation. The suggestion that a legal aid client was prejudiced and the UK taxpayer was unduly burdened, if proven, would be particularly egregious.
The SRA and the Bar Standards Board must investigate not only the registration status of the individuals involved but also the conduct of Taylor Haldane Barlex Solicitors LLP. The firm's role in instructing an unregulated barrister and the nature of Ms Abiodun's practice within the firm must be thoroughly examined.
We reiterate our call for swift and decisive action by the regulatory bodies to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the legal profession."
Financial Fraudster News Investigations will continue to monitor this situation and report on any further developments.
Related content:
