A barrister who bought controlled drugs from clients has been disbarred by the Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service. Henry Hendron, called in November 2006, was convicted of three counts of intentionally encouraging/assisting the commission of an offence and possessing crystal meth, a controlled class A drug. In June 2023, he was sentenced to a total of 14 months imprisonment.
Hendron was representing a man who had been arrested in 2021 on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A, B and C drugs. When police examined the individual’s phone, messages were found from Hendron asking the man to supply him.
He faced four charges of professional misconduct before the BTAS, all of which were found proved by a five-person panel. The tribunal found Hendron had ‘behaved in a way which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his integrity and independence’ and ‘was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession’.
Hendron also had a previous criminal and disciplinary record, including for drug related offences, which the tribunal took into account.
As well as disbarring Hendron, the tribunal ordered that he should not be issued with a practising certificate pending any appeal.
Commenting on the order, a Bar Standards Board spokesperson said: ‘Possessing and encouraging the supply of Class A drugs is clearly a very serious matter. The conduct for which Mr Hendron was convicted, including being involved in his client’s criminal activity, is clearly entirely unacceptable behaviour for a barrister and the tribunal’s decision to disbar him reflects this.’
