SRA says conviction for failing to provide breath specimen undermined administration of justice
Solicitor Jamie Salvidge has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority after being convicted of failing to provide a breath specimen when lawfully required to do so.
Salvidge, a solicitor and former managing director at SO Legal, also agreed to publication of the regulatory agreement and to pay £300 towards the SRA’s investigation costs.
According to the SRA decision, Sussex Police were called to a multi-storey car park on 23 September 2023 after security staff raised concerns that Salvidge was intoxicated and attempting to drive away. Officers found him in a stationary vehicle and observed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, unsteady balance and glazed eyes.
The SRA said Salvidge provided a roadside breath sample recording 88 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, significantly above the legal limit. He was arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol and taken to Brighton Custody Suite.
In custody, Salvidge was required to provide evidential breath specimens using an approved device. The SRA said he refused to provide a specimen after being warned that failure to do so without reasonable excuse was a criminal offence. No medical or other reasonable excuse was identified.
He was charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis and pleaded guilty at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 16 November 2023. He was disqualified from driving for 22 months, with provision for reduction on completion of a rehabilitation course, fined £2,000 and ordered to pay an £800 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
Salvidge reported the matter to the SRA on 11 December 2023. He admitted that, by being convicted of failing to provide a breath specimen, he breached principles requiring solicitors to uphold the rule of law and the proper administration of justice, and to maintain public trust and confidence in the profession.
The SRA said a written rebuke was appropriate because the conviction interfered with a police investigation and undermined the proper administration of justice. It also noted the significant criminal sanction and that Salvidge was directly responsible for his conduct.
In mitigation, the regulator said it took into account that the incident was isolated, Salvidge had no previous criminal convictions or relevant regulatory history, pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, complied with the court sentence, completed a drink-driver rehabilitation course and had shown insight and remorse.
The rebuke was imposed by SRA decision on 23 June 2026 and published on 25 June 2026.