Cricket chairman disbarred for lies about Oxford

Mr Mohindru has been chairman of Essex County Cricket Club since 2023

The chairman of Essex County Cricket Club (ECCC) has been disbarred by the Barristers' Tribunal Service over claims he lied about studying at Oxford University.

Criminal lawyer Anurag Mohindru faced an allegation of fabricating his academic credentials to boost a job application to a top barrister's chamber.

Mr Mohindru was immediately suspended following the five-day tribunal, pending any appeal, and was ordered to pay nearly £55,000 in costs. A second professional misconduct charge was dropped.

Essex County Cricket Club said its board would meet at the weekend "to discuss an appropriate course of action".

'Exaggerated'

The allegation against Mr Mohindru dated back to between late 2012 and early 2013, when he applied for tenancy to 23 Essex Street Chambers (23ES).

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) stated that Mr Mohindru had "deliberately exaggerated his academic achievements and qualifications in an attempt to improve his tenancy prospects".

Essex County Cricket Club said its board would meet to discuss "an appropriate course of action"

The BSB claimed that Mr Mohindru first lied about his medical experience during an interview with 23ES, saying that he had studied biomedical science at Oxford University.

This was followed up with a CV in which Mr Mohindru claimed he studied medicine at the university from 1993 to 1994 before continuing his studies in the US, it was alleged.

The BSB said that inquiries made by Oxford University found no record of a student by the name of Anurag Mohindru.

Mr Mohindru denied "knowingly" providing false information, and he was "certain" he did not send the document given as evidence at the tribunal. His CV was said to have been created with at least two other people.

The tribunal was heard by the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS), an independent disciplinary body that serves to maintain public confidence in the country's legal professionals.

Mr Mohindru was also ordered to pay costs of £54,780 to the BSB.

Both Foundry Chambers and 23ES have been approached for comment.