The lawyers were cleared of the allegations, which they had all consistently denied, after a seven-week hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The case arose after a £31 million war crimes inquiry cleared British troops of torture, murder and mutilations in Iraq amid allegations the firm included paid an informer £75,000 to drum up work in Iraq. Following the end of the £31 million Al-Sweady Inquiry the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) launched proceedings against them. Mr Day said: ‘The tribunal  confirmed our view that we did not act improperly.’ Commenting on the verdict, Martyn Day said in a statement: ‘We are pleased that the tribunal has cleared us of all the charges.’ 

Most expensive

The costs of the hearing are estimated to run into seven figures, making it the most expensive case ever for the SDT. Whilst many lawyers claimed it was a witch-hunt, soldiers were unhappy with the verdict. Richard Kemp, a former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, said: ‘Whatever the findings of the tribunal there is no doubt Leigh Day tormented innocent veterans with years of needless worry. He added: ‘The very least they can do is apologise.’