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Campaigning Kettering lawyer Yvonne Hossack cleared of misconduct
Campaigning Kettering lawyer Yvonne Hossack was cleared of professional misconduct charges today.
The prominent opponent of care home closures who received the backing of Home Secretary Alan Johnson, had been accused of six breaches of rules governing solicitors' conduct.
Miss Hossack, of Broadway, Kettering, had been accused breaching solicitors rules by acting on instructions from third parties without seeking clarification from clients, providing confidential information to third parties without the consent of clients, inappropriate conduct in litigation, bringing an application to court when she was not instructed and writing to clients urging and encouraging them to get involved in a media campaign.
But she was cleared today by a Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal in London.
The 53-year-old from Kettering had been criticised by Northamptonshire, Staffordshire and Hull councils.
Defending herself earlier this week against the charges brought by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority, she told the hearing: "The people who have a direct interest in these proceedings are the local authorities who may otherwise face challenges to their cuts to services for disabled people."
Mr Johnson gave evidence to the hearing on her behalf this week in his capacity as a Hull MP.
The allegations against Miss Hossack included providing confidential information to a third party.
After panel chairman Dominic Green announced that the misconduct charges had not been proved, Ms Hossack said: "First of all, I would like to thank you all. It has been a very difficult three days for you as well as everyone involved."
She added that she had acted at all times "in the utmost good faith".
There were gasps of "yes" from Miss Hossack's supporters as the panel's findings were read out by chairman Dominic Green.
Miss Hossack had always rejected the allegations against her, including accepting instructions from third parties without seeking clarification of the position and providing confidential information to third parties.
Mr Green said although all six allegations were not proven, the third allegation relating to disclosing information to a third party did breach a rule at the lowest level.
Speaking outside the tribunal offices, surrounded by campaigners wearing T-shirts stating "I love my solicitor" and "Beat the bullies", she said: "I feel fantastic, I can't tell you, it's like a miracle. I would like to thank all my clients and would also like to thank the media because I think the media have put the country's view of what people really feel about these proceedings.
"I think that has made a difference to the outcome, because the main charge against me was that I had brought my profession into disrepute and you have shown that nobody in this country thinks that.
"At one point I thought I was becoming clinically depressed. I'd lost a lost of sleep, it had obviously put a great strain on me.
"As well as preparing for this, I had to do all my other work as well. At times it has been terribly difficult to concentrate. At times I have had to wake up through the night when I had a bit more energy to do my work. It has been terrible, really terrible."
She added: "I've had people phoning me in tears when I've said I don't know if I'll be able to help you after this week. They've been frightened and stressed and crying and that's been awful because obviously I feel for them.
"When my clients came on Wednesday on their sticks and in their wheelchairs, I felt like a wounded animal, thinking I won't be able to help you or protect you any more. It was a terrible feeling."
The case was brought by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority (SRA).
Deputy leader of Northamptonshire County Council Cllr Joan Kirkbride said: "This case was never about an attempt to deny a voice to some of our most vulnerable people. We all have the needs of those receiving care at the centre of everything we do.
"This case was to make sure that the legal codes of conduct and that the legal profession's own regulations were adhered to. We fully accept the findings of the hearing."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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