A north London barrister has been fined and reprimanded after raising his hand in a Nazi salute at the end of a magistrates court hearing.
Thomas Davidson, a veteran lawyer who was called to the Bar in 1973, was hauled before a disciplinary tribunal over the incident at Salisbury magistrates court on February 7 last year.
According to the Bar Standards Board, he had been defending a client at the court in a case in front of three magistrates and was confronted at the end of the hearing about aspects of his behaviour.
“The Chairperson raised with him the issue of his having used a German accent during the proceedings and telling him that this conduct had been inappropriate”, the professional body said.
“Mr Davidson looked at the Bench and said ‘Jawohl’ at the same time as raising a hand in a Nazi salute.”
"Jawohl" is a German word which translates to “yes indeed”. It was previously used in the military, and is used in modern times as a term of mockery.
The tribunal has now fined the barrister £250, handed him an official reprimand, and ordered him to pay £1750 in costs.
“(He) behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession”, the tribunal notice added.
Mr Davidson is a member of Middle Temple, he is part of CHL Chambers in Muswell Hill, north London, as well as having an affiliation with Fleet Street Chambers in central London.
His profile states his areas of practice include crime, employment, family law, immigration, and personal injury claims.
