# The Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, Article 33: Adverse inferences

Extent: E+W

Where a respondent fails to—
(a) send or serve an Answer in accordance with a direction under rule 20(2)(b); or
(b) give evidence at a substantive hearing or submit themselves to cross-examination;
and regardless of the service by the respondent of a witness statement in the proceedings, the Tribunal is entitled to take into account the position that the respondent has chosen to adopt and to draw such adverse inferences from the respondent’s failure as the Tribunal considers appropriate.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1185/article/33 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/solicitors-disciplinary-proceedings-rules-2019/article-33
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.