The chief executive of the Law Society of Northern Ireland has apologised “unreservedly” for providing a character reference for his cousin ahead of his sentencing for committing sexual offences against school pupils in the 1970s.
The incident has reportedly sparked widespread concern among the society’s membership, with one prominent recently retired solicitor, employment specialist Rosemary Connolly, describing David Lavery’s apology as “completely inadequate”.
Former teacher William Lloyd-Lavery was jailed for two years on 28 April for indecently assaulting four girls at a Belfast school in the 1970s, having been found guilty in January of six counts of indecent assault.
In an email to society members, its president, Mark Borland, said its executive committee had considered Lavery’s decision to provide a character reference ahead of his cousin’s sentencing with the “deep concern and the gravity it requires”.
He added: “David Lavery has apologised sincerely and unreservedly to council and has acknowledged that providing the reference was a serious error of judgement. The executive committee welcomes that apology, while also acknowledging the concern this matter has caused among council, members, staff and others.”
In his email, Borland said the society’s personnel committee had been asked to develop a new protocol for the provision of references by senior officers, while the society would “engage with appropriate justice-sector partners to consider whether clearer guidance, policy change or legal reform is required in relation to the use of such references”.
Earlier this week, the Belfast Telegraph reported that “many practising solicitors” had expressed their disgust to the newspaper at the situation but were “‘scared’ to speak out publicly”.
Connolly, who retired last month and served as director of legal services at the Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland from 1986-95, told GLP: “This is a very serious situation which requires immediate and focused attention from the society’s governing body.
“The apology tendered, to me seems completely inadequate and fails abjectly to consider the adverse impact of this action on victims. The society seems not to appreciate either, the extent to which the action of its most senior officer taints and undermines the profession.”
In his email, Borland acknowledged that the provision of the reference had “highlighted wider concerns around character references in cases involving sexual violence, abuse or serious harm”.
He added: “The issues arising from this matter will be subject to further consideration, including by council. The matter will also be included on the agenda for discussion at the next council meeting.”
In a statement, which repeated the measures set out in Borland’s email, the society said Lavery had “provided the reference because of a family relationship but accepts that he should have considered the impact character references in sexual offence cases can have on victims and survivors”.
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