Barrister Disbarred for Inflating Injuries in £250K Injury Claim.

A barrister who was not registered has been disbarred for exaggerating her injuries and demonstrating "fundamental dishonesty" following a road traffic accident.

Claire Louise Thomas, from Merthyr Tydfil, faced disbarment this week after a disciplinary hearing conducted by a bar tribunal. Although she is not currently practicing, Thomas, who was called to the bar in 2008, remains under the oversight of the regulatory body.

The incident in question occurred in 2016 when Thomas was involved in a collision with a van driver who accepted liability. As reported by the City law firm Clyde & Co, which was engaged by the van driver’s insurers to examine the claims, Thomas asserted that she had sustained soft tissue injuries to her neck, shoulders, and back, in addition to a concussion.

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She also claimed to have developed secondary fibromyalgia syndrome accompanied by hemiplegic migraines, a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and tenderness. Moreover, she alleged experiencing psychological effects, including flashbacks, anxiety related to travel, and a low mood, and sought to recover substantial damages for both past and future loss of earnings, as well as past and future care and assistance.

Due to her serious injuries, Thomas reported that she could not walk more than 100 yards without needing to pause, even on favorable days, could only stand for 10 to 15 minutes, and always required a handrail when navigating stairs. She also claimed to avoid loud environments, as they were too overwhelming, leading to her social isolation.

However, her assertions were called into question when Clyde & Co uncovered a social media post in which Thomas herself documented completing a 10km walk in the Brecon Beacons, which included a descent of 170 steps to a waterfall. Additional surveillance evidence indicated that she participated in gym classes and ascended stairs without the aid of a handrail, as noted by the firm.

Further social media activity revealed Thomas attending weddings, family gatherings, and a concert in Cardiff, as well as traveling to various locations including Copenhagen, Switzerland, Scotland, Venice, and Rome to watch the Six Nations Rugby.

In the initial ruling, the judge deemed Thomas to be “fundamentally dishonest.” While she initially sought £250,000, she was ultimately awarded only £9,918.75 for the injuries that were verifiably substantiated. This amount was subsequently reduced by the costs she was obligated to cover.

Thomas has been disbarred. A representative from the Bar Standards Board (BSB) stated:

“Ms. Thomas’ actions, which involved the dishonest presentation of information regarding her medical symptoms, including in a civil court case, have not met the elevated standards of integrity and honesty required of individuals at the bar. The tribunal's decision to disbar her is a direct reflection of this misconduct.”

The tribunal's ruling is subject to appeal. It is important to distinguish Claire Louise Thomas from Clare Thomas, who is a practicing barrister located in Manchester.

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