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Drunk barrister fined £1,000 after court collapse
29 Apr
Summary
- Barrister James Hankinson collapsed in court due to intoxication.
- He was ordered to pay a £1,000 penalty for his conduct.
- Hankinson reported himself to regulators and showed proof of abstinence.
Barrister James Hankinson faced a £1,000 penalty after collapsing at Maidstone Combined Court Centre in Kent on March 13, 2025, due to alcohol intoxication. His client reported that Hankinson displayed signs of drunkenness, including red eyes and slurred speech, when he arrived for a hearing. The Bar Standards Board noted that Hankinson's behaviour was reckless and wasted the court's time.
Hankinson, who qualified in 2014, admitted his conduct breached his professional duties, describing the incident as a 'one-off' during mitigation. He expressed deep regret and shame, having reported himself to the regulator four days after the event. He has since provided toxicology tests to his chambers as evidence of ongoing abstinence from alcohol. His client's hearing was rescheduled, and Hankinson personally compensated the client for their loss of earnings.
