Tea at Claridges

moral judgment that punctuates prosecutions that touch on private lives. The SRA should not require solicitors to be paragons of virtue in their private lives – we are entitled to have one!

Beckwith has also provided much needed help on the vexed question of prosecution costs. Despite impressions to the contrary Beckwith was factually straightforward as it considered a one off sexual encounter which did not involve police as there was no criminal conduct. Further, much of the factual background was admitted. SRA only had to try and prove that the largely admitted facts constituted a breach of Principles 2 and 6, and yet ran up massive costs of £343,957. Mr Beckwith was ordered to pay £200,000, and his appeal against this order succeeded.

The court said the claim was “alarming”. The SRA was reminded that regulators pursue disciplinary proceedings in the public interest, and the costs they incur should reflect that responsibility. They must exercise their regulatory powers proportionately, and since the SRA will not usually be ordered to pay costs when regulatory proceedings are successfully defended, it must conduct its cases with proper regard to the need to permit those who face prosecutions to defend themselves without excessive cost. The court said this was part of any regulator’s responsibilities in the public interest. The increasing size of SRA costs in regulatory proceedings has been a cause for serious concern for quite some time. Transparency is also important, so that those prosecuted can see the work done and who did it.

It is to be hoped the SRA will take this on board. SDT has appeared to be far more testing of costs claims and this is to be welcomed as well. Solicitors should not fear the costs of properly defending or explaining themselves as a basis for not doing so.

David Barton is a Solicitor Advocate specialising in advising and representing solicitors and law firms. He can be found at: www.solicitors-disciplinary-advice.co.uk

Thanks to insurer Lockton’s inspired generosity, one highlight last year was a Champagne Tea at Claridges. At our last SPG Conference, in Manchester, Lockton had offered the Tea for Two as a prize for guessing the number of sweets in a bottle. I was amazed to find my guess was the nearest.

‘O Goddess best beloved, delightful tea!’, wrote the poet Coleridge; but with champagne too, what better way to celebrate my wife, Cat’s birthday in October? In 2019 it was not to be, so in October 2020, in a lull between lockdowns, we made our way across Claridge’s effortlessly elegant entrance hall, into the classic Art Deco comfort of the Foyer & Reading Room.

Warmly welcomed, we were shown to a table near a magnificent and tiered display of sunflowers, and below an exotic chandelier (by Chihuly) that looks like a giant cluster of intertwined snakes. Generous glasses of Laurent-Perrier champagne were poured for us as our orders were taken. While gentle music flowed from the grand piano and ‘cello, we admired the striking Art Deco details: the pale green striped teacups, mirrored columns, and sumptuous carpets and chair coverings.

With twenty teas and six infusions on the menu, we were glad to have our waiter’s expert and enthusiastic guidance, starting with Claridge’s Blend and moving onto a more unusual Hojicha, a delicate roasted Japanese green tea.

Finger sandwiches were brought, as many as we wanted and all mouth-wateringly superb. Smoked salmon, duck egg, ham, cucumber and chicken – all with wonderfully imaginative blends of delicious flavours. They were so good that after the scones and clotted cream and jam made from tea, we didn’t have room for the amazing little cakes and pastries that followed. Each one was a mini work of art so we were delighted they could be boxed up for us to take home.

It was an altogether uplifting and memorable experience for us. As a treat, once lockdown ends, it is strongly recommended.