Laura
Bailhache
Solicitor
414188
Decision - Sanction
Outcome: Rebuke
Outcome date: 8 January 2026
Published date: 16 March 2026
Firm details
Firm or organisation at date of publication and at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Bailhache Law Ltd
Address(es): 2 Church Square, Taunton TA1 1SA
Firm ID: 659668
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
We have issued Ms Bailhache with a rebuke for failing to provide a specimen of blood when lawfully requested to do so by the police at Bridgwater Police Station.
It was decided that a rebuke was an appropriate and proportionate sanction.
Ms Bailhache was issued with a written rebuke and ordered to pay costs of £600.
This was because her conduct was serious by reference to the following factors in the SRA Enforcement Strategy and the SRA's topic guides on 'Convictions for driving with excess alcohol' updated 30 June 2025, 'Criminal offences outside of practice' dated 25 November 2019, 'A guide to the application of Principle 1' issued 7 February 2019 and updated 25 November 2019 and SRA Guidance 'Public trust and confidence' published 25 November 2019':
- Ms Bailhache intentionally refused to provide a specimen of blood when requested by the police. A failure to cooperate with an enforcement authority placed her in breach of Principle 1 of the SRA Principles 2019.
- Ms Bailhache's actions placed her in breach of Principle 2, which requires her to act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the profession.
- Some level of public sanction was required to uphold public confidence in the delivery of legal services.
A more serious sanction was not considered to be proportionate in light of the mitigating factors:
- She has a clear regulatory history.
- She pleaded guilty to the offence.
SRA Principles breached
Principle 1: You must act in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law, and the proper administration of justice.
Principle 2: You must act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors' profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons.
Reasons/basis
It was found that on 11 January 2025 Ms Bailhache, while driving her vehicle, was involved in a road traffic collision.
Ms Bailhache was arrested by the police under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 for driving or being in charge of a vehicle when under the influence of drink or drugs.
At the police station, Ms Bailhache refused to provide a sample of blood when lawfully requested to do so.
On 3 February 2025, she was convicted of the offence of failing to provide a specimen for analysis, contrary to section 7(6) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
She was disqualified from driving for 18 months. She was also ordered to pay a fine of £960, a surcharge of £384 and costs of £85.