SRA bans former paralegal after convictions for stalking and criminal damage
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has disqualified a former senior paralegal from working in regulated law firms following criminal convictions, including offences of stalking and criminal damage.
Gemma Clarke, who was employed by Knights Professional Services Limited between January 2020 and June 2023, has been made subject to a disqualification order under section 99 of the Legal Services Act 2007. The decision was reached by the SRA on 25 February 2026 and published on 20 March 2026.
At the time of the conduct giving rise to the decision, Ms Clarke worked as a senior paralegal at the firm’s head office in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.
The SRA confirmed that Ms Clarke was convicted on 1 May 2024 of stalking involving serious alarm or distress. She was later convicted on 16 September 2024 of a further offence of stalking involving serious alarm or distress, as well as criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.
Following these convictions, the regulator assessed Ms Clarke’s conduct against the standards expected of individuals working within the legal sector. It was determined that her actions breached Principles 2 and 5 of the SRA Principles 2019.
Principle 2 requires individuals to act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors’ profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons. Principle 5 requires individuals to act with integrity.
The SRA concluded that, in light of these breaches, it would be undesirable for Ms Clarke to hold any role within a law firm regulated under section 99 of the Legal Services Act 2007.
As a result, Ms Clarke has been disqualified from acting as a Head of Legal Practice, Head of Finance and Administration, manager, or employee within any SRA-regulated firm.
The disqualification order effectively prevents her from working in any capacity within regulated legal practices unless the order is lifted or varied by the SRA.
In addition to the disqualification, Ms Clarke has been ordered to pay costs of £600.
The decision reflects the SRA’s approach to maintaining professional standards and public confidence in legal services. It reinforces the expectation that individuals working within the sector, including non-qualified staff, must adhere to the principles of integrity and conduct set out by the regulator.