Alan Blackers' Bid to Overturn Inner Temple Membership Refusal Fails.
Former solicitor advocate Alan Blacker has faced rejection in his second attempt to gain membership in Inner Temple, despite submitting three separate appeals. Blacker, also known as Lord Harley, has been striving to become a member of Inner Temple, one of the four Inns of Court, since February 2020, a necessary step for those wishing to practice as barristers.
In August of that year, the Inn’s Conduct Committee determined that he was not a “fit and proper person” for admission to an Inn of Court. His subsequent application for a review of this decision was unsuccessful. Three years later, Blacker made another attempt, but the conduct committee maintained its stance.
Following another unsuccessful review application, he escalated his case to the High Court. However, this was dismissed on procedural grounds, leading him to pursue the matter in the employment tribunal. In the tribunal, Blacker claimed direct and indirect disability discrimination, as well as a failure to implement reasonable adjustments. Nevertheless, the tribunal's recent ruling has confirmed that it lacks the jurisdiction to address these claims, resulting in their dismissal due to a lack of reasonable prospects for success.
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Blacker's challenges in securing membership in an Inn of Court may be linked to his controversial history. The former solicitor first garnered media attention in 2014 after an incident involving a judge at Cardiff Crown Court, who remarked that Blacker's appearance resembled something from "Harry Potter" due to the colorful ribbons adorning his robes. Two years later, he was disbarred for providing “inaccurate and misleading” information regarding his academic credentials, among other issues. Since that time, he has been convicted of benefit fraud, prohibited from managing a charity for 15 years, and barred from obtaining CILEx membership for at least a decade due to his failure to disclose prior misconduct. Although he briefly received accolades such as the “Best Pro Bono Legal Services Practice 2024” and the “UK Legal Client Service Excellence Award 2024,” these recognitions were ultimately deemed unofficial.
Lord Harley's continued efforts to secure membership in Inner Temple have been unsuccessful, with his recent appeal rejected. His controversial legal history and multiple failed attempts highlight ongoing challenges in his bid to practice as a barrister, despite pursuing legal avenues such as employment tribunals and the High Court.
