Joseph Elliott
Dawson
Solicitor
431706
Decision - Prosecution
Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
Outcome date: 11 February 2025
Published date: 16 June 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Leigh Day Solicitors
Address(es): Panagram, 27 Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AJ
Firm ID: 067679
Firm or organisation at date of publication
Name: Trade Union Legal LLP
Address(es): P M House, 250 Shepcote Lane, Sheffield S9 1TP
Firm ID: 608309
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Reasons/basis
This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. This is an independent Tribunal which will reach its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Solicitor. The Tribunal has certified that there is a case to answer in respect of allegations which are or include that, whilst in practice as a Solicitor at Leigh Day Solicitors:-
On or around 20 and 21 June 2023, he:
1.1. Created a letter falsely dated 26 May 2023, which stated that documents for inspection were enclosed;
1.2 Sent, or caused to be sent, the letter falsely dated 26 May 2023 to the defendant's solicitor in a personal injury case under cover of correspondence dated 21 June 2023, which stated the 26 May 2023 letter had previously been sent.
On or around 20 June 2023, provided misleading information to his employer in respect of when the documents for inspection were first disclosed to another party in litigation.
The allegations are subject to a Hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and are as yet unproven.
Decision - Control of practice
Outcome: Condition
Outcome date: 13 March 2025
Published date: 11 April 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at date of publication
Name: Trade Union Legal LLP (Union Line)
Address(es): PM House, 250 Shepcote Lane, Sheffield S9 1TP
Firm ID: n/a
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Joseph Dawson's practising certificate for 2023/2024 is subject to the following conditions:
- Mr Dawson may act as a solicitor only as an employee and only where the employment has first been approved by the SRA.
- Mr Dawson shall not provide reserved or unreserved legal services on his own account under regulations 10.2(a) or (b) of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
- Mr Dawson is not to be a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA) for any authorised body. In these conditions the terms are as defined in the SRA Glossary.
Reasons/basis
The above interim condition is made under rule 3.2 of the SRA Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules, which states that at any stage an authorised decision maker may, pending a final decision by the SRA or the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, impose interim conditions on the practising certificate of a solicitor. We are satisfied that this condition is necessary in the public interest or for the protection of the public.