Claire Thomas, a barrister from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, has been disbarred following a tribunal decision that found her guilty of exaggerating injuries in a £250,000 insurance claim.

Despite claiming that she could barely walk 100 meters, her social media activity showed her engaging in strenuous activities, including hiking, gym visits, and international travel, which contradicted her reported limitations.

Evidence of Physical Activities Contradicts Injury Claims

Although Thomas insisted her mobility was severely impaired due to a car accident in 2016, investigators found multiple posts showing her participating in physically demanding events.

She attended a Pink concert, hiked the challenging 10-kilometer Four Falls Trail in South Wales, and volunteered at a music festival.

Additionally, her trips to Switzerland, Scotland, and Six Nations rugby matches raised further doubts about her alleged restrictions.

Insurance Investigation Leads to Disciplinary Actions

After LV, the insurance company, became suspicious of Thomas’s injury claim, they hired the law firm Clyde & Co to investigate.

Their findings revealed her claims starkly conflicted with her documented activities, including a hike in the Brecon Beacons.

Surveillance also captured her using stairs without assistance and walking more than her reported capacity, even on icy and snow-covered paths.

Tribunal Rules Against Thomas, Disbarment Issued

The tribunal, concluding that Thomas was “fundamentally dishonest,” found her explanations of “good days” and “bad days” insufficient to justify the contradictions.

Judge Robert Harrison dismissed her claim and ordered her to pay over £9,900 in costs.

In response, the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service officially disbarred Thomas, citing that her actions had diminished public trust in the legal profession through dishonesty and false representations.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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