Samuel Thorne

Decision - Sanction

Outcome: Rebuke

Outcome date: 8 December 2022

Published date: 26 January 2023

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Russell-Cooke LLP

Address(es): 8 Bedford Row, London, WC1R 4BX

Firm ID: 465322

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Samuel Thorne is a solicitor.

In December 2017 Mr Thorne was working as an associate at Russell-Cooke LLP whose head office is at 8 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4BX, which is a recognised body.

It was found that on 7 December 2017 Mr Thorne made a lewd gesture to his colleague in front of other staff members at the firm’s Christmas party and this was captured on video footage. His actions breached:

• Principle 2 of the SRA Principles 2011 - act with integrity
• Principle 6 of the SRA Principles 2011 - behave in a way that maintains the trust the public places in you and in the provision of legal services.
• Principle 9 of the SRA Principles 2011 - run your business or carry out your role in the business in a way that encourages equality of opportunity and respect for diversity.

Mr Thorne was issued with a written rebuke and ordered to pay costs of £600.

This was because Mr Thorne’s conduct was serious by reference to the following factors in the SRA Enforcement Strategy: it demonstrated a lack of integrity on his part; he caused harm and distress to the recipient, failed to treat a fellow professional with respect and dignity and the gesture was sexual in nature.

Given that Mr Thorne acted with a lack of integrity, damaged the trust placed in the provision of legal services, had direct control and responsibility for his conduct and caused harm and distress, it was decided that a rebuke was an appropriate and proportionate sanction.