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Excellent advocate." "He knows the field inside out [and is] the go-to for solicitors' disciplinary work
Chambers UK & Legal 500
Geoffrey Williams KC has a long established practice in the field of professional disciplinary & regulatory work. He is shortlisted as Professional Disciplinary Silk of the Year by Legal 500 for their 2024 awards.
Geoffrey was admitted a Solicitor in 1978. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2003 being then one of the few Solicitors to have taken Silk.
Also in 2003 he was granted a Door Tenancy at Farrar’s Building having worked with members of Chambers throughout his career.
Geoffrey was called to the Bar in 2013 and became a Tenant at Farrar’s Building in January 2014.
Geoffrey specialises in defending professionals accused of misconduct by their regulators. He is regularly instructed in complex document intensive matters and in particular, cases involving allegations of dishonesty and those in which mental health issues arise.
He has practised in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for 30 years & has been instructed in many of the leading appeal cases in the High Court.
In addition Geoffrey acts for Accountants, Chartered Surveyors & Architects.
An important part of his practice is persuading regulators not to take proceedings against his clients.
Regulatory & Disciplinary
Geoffrey has vast experience of both defending and prosecuting professionals before their disciplinary bodies.
Geoffrey regularly appears before the High Court in appeals from first instance decisions of such bodies and in particular has appeared in many of the leading cases in the Solicitors’ jurisdiction.
Geoffrey has particular experience of representing Accountants and Chartered Surveyors and has also appeared in healthcare jurisdictions.
Industrial Disease
A significant part of Geoffrey’s practice consists of advising regulated professionals being investigated by their professional bodies with a view to avoiding disciplinary proceedings being taken and, in the case of Solicitors, interventions being effected. This involves initial advisory work and the drafting of representations to the investigating body.
Geoffrey has particular expertise in reaching agreed outcomes with the prosecutor if proceedings have been launched.
Public Access
Geoffrey is public access qualified and accepts instructions on a public access basis.
Notable Cases
RB
Successfully defending this Solicitor against an allegation of dishonesty by virtue of having misled the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) in previous proceedings.
C & K
These Solicitors created a groundbreaking scheme for making claims for massive groups of people who had suffered at the hands of Pay Day lenders. The Solicitors were criticised for breaching their duties to such clients. After a 4 day hearing at SDT both clients were acquitted of all allegations against them and furthermore an order for costs was made against the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
AM
This Solicitor was made subject to a conditions of practice Order by SDT several years ago. An application was made to SDT for the lifting of those conditions. The SRA opposed the application but it was fully granted. SRA then lifted similar conditions upon AM’s Practising Certificate as it was effectively bound to do given the Judgment of SDT.
C&S
These Solicitors were prosecuted at SDT along with two others who were separately represented. Serious allegations were made in relation to the events surrounding the sale of their practice by C & S to the other two Respondents. C & S were duly acquitted of all charges after a 7 day fully contested trial. The other two Respondents who represented themselves were the subject of adverse findings and Orders.
PFG
This Solicitor was prosected at SDT. The allegations included providing false information to prospective insurers in a professional indemnity insurance proposal form and providing false information to SRA with anti-money laundering systems. After a contested hearing PFG was acquitted of dishonesty.
T. Ballard v SRA
The leading authority on the question of Solicitors purporting to represent clients as McKenzie Friends and/or Exempt Persons.
R. S. Bains v SRA
Dishonesty with respect to clients’ funds justifying a striking off.
Giambrone v SRA
The first disciplinary case involving a Registered European Lawyer.
Ebhogiaye v SRA
The appropriate test for the imposition of Practising Certificate conditions.
Adeeko v SRA
The importance of book keeping obligations.
Agyeman v SRA
The proper approach of SDT when considering costs orders.
Hugh Bryant v SRA
The relevance of personal circumstances to the imposition of Practising Certificate conditions.
Gurpinar v SRA
The proper approach of SDT when dealing with absent Respondents.
Iqbal v SRA
The extension of Bolton principles to the issue of competence. Also the inference to be drawn where a professional person fails to give evidence in disciplinary proceedings.
If you would like to instruct Geoffrey Williams KC or would like help or advice in doing so, please call and talk to our excellent clerking team, led by Chief Executive/Director of Clerking, Paul Cray. Our phone number is +44 (0)20 7583 9241. Alternatively, please email us at chambers@farrarsbuilding.co.uk
For more information about our clerking team, please click here for the clerks page.
Appointments & Memberships
- London Commercial & Common Law Bar Association
- Chair of Bar Tribunals
- Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
Directory Quotes
Geoffrey Williams KC is listed as a leading silk for professional discipline in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500.
“In my opinion he is by far the best silk that does this work.” Chambers UK 2025
“Geoffrey has a meticulous attention to detail, is strategically astute and is able to distil complex factual arguments into simple form, making life easy for judiciary and tribunal members.” Chambers UK 2025
‘Tactically astute, his spare style of advocacy makes it easy for tribunals to agree with him. The safest pair of hands out there.’ Chambers UK 2024
‘Very experienced in legal and surveyors’ regulatory work; he runs cases in an economic way and it makes them more persuasive.’ Chambers UK 2024
‘A phenomenal practitioner. He has the respect of the clients, opponents, and the tribunal.’ Legal 500 2024
“Geoffrey is meticulous in his preparation; he is an excellent advocate and an excellent strategist who makes things simple.”
“Geoff Williams is always punctual with his advice.” Chambers UK 2023
‘Excellent advocate – presents complex matters in a spare and simple way increasing the chances of success. Excellent strategist. Very approachable but realistic and good with clients.’ Legal 500 2023
“He knows the field inside out, and takes a very sensible and pragmatic approach to get the desired result without going over the top.” “The go-to for solicitors’ disciplinary work.” Chambers UK 2021
“One of the best barristers for solicitors disciplinary cases – he knows the field inside out and knows what makes tribunals tick.” Legal 500 2020
“Very knowledgeable.” “Extremely experienced.”
Recent work: Acted for the SRA in a High Court appeal by a solicitor who failed to pay a Legal Ombudsman’s award on the basis that he was acting as a ‘McKenzie friend’.
Chambers UK 2019
Respected silk who is noted for his proficiency in the field of solicitors’ regulation. He regularly acts on behalf of regulators, such as the SRA, and is developing a highly respected defence-side practice. He wins the praise of peers for his first-rate advocacy.
Strengths: “He embodies good judgement and always knows where to draw the line.” “He knows everything there is to know about solicitors’ regulation. His slow, measured, calm delivery can really hold a tribunal’s attention.”
Chambers UK 2017
A highly seasoned practitioner, who is particularly adept at handling disciplinary proceedings affecting solicitors. He is well known for his skill in handling appearances both in the higher courts and before professional bodies, where his “very straightforward, measured and pragmatic” style proves highly effective.
Strengths: “He is very knowledgeable on SRA matters and combines a practical and thorough approach with considerable experience in this field.” “He is very articulate and has a nice manner: a class act.”
Chambers UK 2017
‘Incredibly thorough, incredibly hard working and incredibly knowledgeable.’
Legal 500
‘The Patriarch of Solicitors’ regulation.’
Legal 500
‘A pre-eminent figure, intellectually impressive and authoritative. An out and out advocate with sound judgment.’
Legal 500
‘His no-nonsense, straightforward and professional manner is hugely impressive.’
Legal 500
‘An absolute bruiser – opposing counsel are getting into the ring with a heavyweight’.
Legal 500 2018
Publications
- The Guide to the Professional Conduct of Chartered Surveyors.
- Contributing author to Practical Law with respect to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Personal Interests
Geoffrey enjoys watching cricket, racing, Pontypool RFC. current affairs and modern English literature.