Timothy Eagle was suspended for one year over sexual misconduct at a work event
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended former senior partner Timothy Eagle for one year after finding that he engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct towards female colleagues during a Christmas event.
In a judgment dated 6 February 2026, the Tribunal ruled that Mr Eagle, who was senior partner at Hansells Solicitors at the time, breached multiple professional principles following incidents on 23 December 2022.
The proceedings were brought by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under the Solicitors Act 1974. The hearing took place on 20 and 21 January 2026. Mr. Eagle represented himself.
The Tribunal found that during Christmas celebrations at the firm’s Norwich office, following a staff lunch, Mr Eagle made sexually explicit comments to several colleagues and engaged in unwanted physical contact.
In relation to one colleague, identified as Person A, he said words to the effect of “you are just so sexy” and “if I were 20 years younger, I would like to fuck you right now”, placing his hand on her waist. To another colleague, Person B, he commented that her shoulders looked lovely and that he would like to kiss them. Despite being told not to, he kissed her bare shoulder and later stated, “I don’t believe you; every woman likes being kissed.”
He also told Person C that her dress was “easy access” while gesturing towards her thighs, and told Person D that he would “really love to fuck” another colleague.
Mr Eagle admitted the factual allegations and accepted breaches of Principles 2 and 6 of the SRA Principles 2019 and Rule 1.5 of the Code of Conduct. He initially denied breaching Principle 5, which concerns integrity, but the Tribunal rejected his argument.
Applying the test for integrity set out in Wingate v SRA, the Tribunal found that his conduct represented a failure to adhere to the ethical standards expected of a solicitor. It held that the misconduct was closely connected to his professional role, having occurred at a work event on firm premises and involving junior colleagues over whom he held senior authority.
The Tribunal also concluded that all allegations were sexually motivated, including the comment to Person C, applying guidance from Basson v GMC.
Mr Eagle argued that excessive alcohol consumption and health issues had affected his behaviour. The Tribunal found no medical evidence to support the claim that his actions were involuntary and held that he made a conscious decision to drink to excess despite prior medical advice to reduce alcohol intake.
Although the Tribunal acknowledged his early admissions, self-reporting to the regulator, and previously unblemished career, it determined that suspension was necessary to maintain public confidence in the profession.
Mr Eagle was suspended from practice for one year from 21 January 2026 and ordered to pay £30,000 in costs.