Leading agricultural solicitor to face disciplinary tribunal

A well-known agricultural solicitor is facing prosecution by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.

Peter Rhys Williams will face a hearing at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal – an independent tribunal where evidence from parties including Mr Williams will be considered.

The allegations relate to a time when he worked at Wilsons Solicitors LLP in Wiltshire.

Mr Williams is author of a definitive textbook on the law of agricultural holdings and is currently head of agriculture at Michelmores LLP, Devon.

He is a Fellow at the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants.

Before joining Wilsons LLP, he worked in the agricultural team at Burges Salmon.

He faces allegations relating to when he was advising and/or acting on behalf of his client in relation to the proposed sale of a property and the related communications and/or negotiations with his client’s mortgagee, his trustee in bankruptcy, and other third parties.

These include that Mr Williams:

• Failed to act with integrity
• Failed to act in the best interests of his client
• Failed to behave in a way that maintained the trust the public placed in him and in the provision of legal services
• Took unfair advantage of third parties in his professional capacity.

The unproven allegations will be put to Mr Williams at the public hearing of the tribunal due to take place at 9am on Tuesday 27 October at Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London.