Advocate Discipline

England and Wales, United Kingdom

Philip Shiner: disciplinary decision

Decision, 2 February 2017The Solicitors Regulation Authority record states that the matter was heard by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal on 2 February 2017 and "Mr Shiner was Struck Off the Roll." The Tribunal's case page for case 11510-2016 lists the outcome as strike off. The SRA had decided to refer him to the Tribunal on 4 March 2016.1,4,2,3

Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, on referral by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

What the decision found

ITV News reported that the case concerned his conduct in relation to the Al-Sweady Inquiry and claims against British soldiers over alleged abuse of Iraqis. ITV News and the Global Legal Post reported that the Tribunal found five allegations of dishonesty proved. Legal Futures reported that the Tribunal upheld charges including dishonesty and lack of integrity, and that it found he was willing to disregard his professional obligations, "in some cases dishonestly." ITV reported that the Tribunal found his firm earned more than 1.6 million pounds from an improper fee-sharing arrangement.2,5,3

Response

Shiner did not attend and was not represented, according to Legal Futures and ITV. ITV reported that he wrote to the Tribunal saying he was unwell and could not afford a defence lawyer, and that he had admitted nine allegations of acting without integrity. Legal Futures reported that in a December 2016 letter from his then solicitor he invited the Tribunal to strike him off.2,3

Appeal and later events

Legal Futures reported that the Tribunal's full written judgment was published on 23 March 2017 and that the Tribunal ordered interim costs of 250,000 pounds pending detailed assessment, with the SRA seeking about 723,000 pounds. No appeal was reported in the sources reviewed.3

Status now

Struck off the roll of solicitors of England and Wales following the Tribunal hearing of 2 February 2017, per the SRA record.1,4

This site covers only lawyers whose cases were widely reported and decided in published rulings. Each record states the decision exactly as the body made it, and any appeal or later change.

Sources

  1. Solicitors Regulation Authority, Solicitor check, Philip Shiner, SRA ID 124775 (28 October 2026)
  2. ITV News, Phil Shiner struck off over Iraq claims (2 February 2017)
  3. Legal Futures, Shiner let nothing get in the way of securing high-profile and lucrative cases, says SDT (24 March 2017)
  4. Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, 11510-2016, Philip Joseph Shiner (28 October 2026)
  5. Global Legal Post, Public Interest Lawyers saga ends with Shiner struck off (February 2017)