Who Is Paul Gerard? Biography of the Irwin Mitchell Paralegal Barred by the SRA - Scandal, Career, and Dishonesty Findings

UK Legal Scandal: Why the SRA Banned the Former Irwin Mitchell Paralegal

Paul Gerard is a former Senior Associate Paralegal best known for his long career at Irwin Mitchell LLP, one of the UK’s largest and most reputable law firms. His name entered public attention in 2025 after the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) imposed a disciplinary order against him for dishonesty, including fabricating documents and misleading a client. Gerard’s subsequent regulatory ban has made his case one of the most discussed paralegal disciplinary actions of the year.

Early Life and Education

Little public information is available regarding Paul Gerard early life, family background, or formal education. However, his extensive paralegal career suggests he likely pursued legal studies or professional qualifications aligned with non-solicitor legal roles. His eventual senior position within Irwin Mitchell’s Commercial Litigation team indicates years of industry experience and internal progression.

Career at Irwin Mitchell

Joining the Firm (2005)

Paul Gerard joined Irwin Mitchell LLP in November 2005, beginning what became a 16-year tenure with one of the UK’s most respected legal practices. Irwin Mitchell handles high-profile litigation, personal injury claims, corporate disputes, and large commercial matters, making it a challenging environment requiring strong legal competence and ethics.

Role and Responsibilities

Gerard worked in the Commercial Litigation Department, eventually becoming a Senior Associate Paralegal. His responsibilities included:

• Managing case files
• Preparing legal documents
• Liaising with clients
• Supporting solicitors in litigation matters
• Filing applications
• Organising procedural steps for court cases

Paul Gerard work required accuracy, honesty, and strict compliance with professional standards.

Misconduct and SRA Investigation

Errors and Initial Mistakes (2019–2020)

Between 2019 and 2020, Gerard mishandled a legal matter involving Client A. According to the SRA findings, his mistakes had the potential to cause serious financial loss to the client.

Fabrication of Documents

Rather than disclose his errors, Gerard:

• Altered documents
• Fabricated new documents
• Misled the client and colleagues
• Attempted to cover up procedural failures

This was classified as dishonesty, one of the most serious breaches under SRA rules.

Termination from Irwin Mitchell (2021)

Irwin Mitchell dismissed Paul Gerard in August 2021 after internal investigations revealed discrepancies in his case handling.

SRA Disciplinary Decision

Section 43 Order (2025)

On 17 September 2025, the Solicitors Regulation Authority issued a Section 43 order, one of the strictest sanctions that can be imposed on a non-lawyer working in the legal field.

The order means:

• Paul Gerard is banned from working for any SRA-regulated law firm

• He cannot work as a paralegal, caseworker, clerk, or in any legal practice role

• He can only return to legal employment if a firm applies for prior written permission from the SRA

Financial Penalty

Paul Gerard was also ordered to pay £1,350 towards the SRA’s investigation costs.

Reasoning Behind the Sanction

The SRA concluded that Paul Gerard actions:

• Were dishonest

• Undermined public trust in the legal profession

• Breached SRA Principles on acting with integrity and transparency

Dishonesty is considered one of the most severe professional violations in the legal sector.

Public Reaction & Industry Context

Paul Gerard case surfaced amid several similar SRA cases involving former Irwin Mitchell paralegals. The trend raised questions about:

• The supervision of non-solicitor staff

• Compliance structures within large law firms

• Training and oversight of high-volume litigation teams

Legal industry commentary highlighted that paralegals, despite not being solicitors, can face significant disciplinary consequences for breaches of duty.

Personal Life

There is minimal public information on Paul Gerard personal life. The SRA case did not reference any mitigating personal circumstances, and Gerard has not made any public statements since the ruling.

Current Status

As of late 2025:

• Paul Gerard remains barred under Section 43

• There is no public record of him applying for reinstatement in any legal practice

• His professional future likely lies outside SRA-regulated law firms unless the regulator grants permission

Legacy and Impact

While Paul Gerard had a long career in a major UK law firm, his legacy is overshadowed by the SRA’s findings of dishonesty. His case serves as a clear reminder of the ethical obligations imposed on all legal professionals, including paralegals and support staff.

It highlights:

• The gravity of document falsification

• The importance of transparency when errors occur

• The SRA’s commitment to maintaining trust in the legal system

Paul Gerard case is now defined by one of the more notable paralegal disciplinary cases in recent years.

About the Author

Praise Graciebby is a content creator on Essie Book Blog, where she writes celebrity biographies, sports updates, gossip, and trending news. With a passion for entertainment and lifestyle journalism, Praise provides readers with simple, accurate, and up-to-date profiles of public figures worldwide.

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