William Osmond is a 72 year old lawyer and his client was being investigated for corruption and money laundering in respect of a real estate transaction for which the client had lodged £4 million into Osmond’s trust account. The Serious Fraud Office sought information from Osmond and warned him not to tip off his client. Osmond immediately called his client to discuss the investigation. Osmond was convicted of tipping off and received a 9 month sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was denied leave to appeal.

Tipping off provisions exist for a reason and wrongful disclosures can have consequences.