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Posted by Jim on May 11, 2026
Law Society members ‘disgusted’ as CEO apologises for providing character reference for paedophile cousin William Lloyd-Lavery.
Convicted paedophile William Lloyd-Lavery at Belfast Crown Court on April 28
Brett Campbell
Reporter
11 May 2026 6:00 AM
Solicitors have expressed “disgust” after the chief executive of a professional body representing them provided a character reference for his paedophile cousin William Lloyd-Lavery.
Members of the Law Society for Northern Ireland were informed via email that its chief executive, David Lavery, had expressed remorse to its executive committee for telling a Crown court judge that the man convicted of abusing four schoolgirls in the 1970s was “a person of sound judgement and good character”.
An email seen by the Belfast Telegraph, and signed by the Law Society’s president Mark Borland, seeks to reassure members that the committee “considered this matter with deep concern and the gravity it requires” particularly in light of its “commitment to justice, equality, the rule of law and its advocacy on behalf of victims and survivors of sexual abuse”.
“David Lavery has apologised sincerely and unreservedly to council and has acknowledged that providing the reference was a serious error of judgement,” the correspondence states.
The executive committee welcomed the apology, but acknowledged the concern the matter had caused.
A number of Law Society members described the situation to the Belfast Telegraph as “disgusting” and said they were “appalled” by how it has been handled.
William Lloyd-Lavery, a former history teacher at Richmond Lodge in south Belfast, was handed a two-year sentence for indecently assaulting four female pupils, aged 13 and 14, between 1975 and 1979.
Sentencing the 77-year-old from Richmond Avenue in Lisburn, Judge Patrick Lynch referred to a character reference submitted by the defendant’s cousin, David Lavery, who explained that while related, he only got to know Lloyd-Lavery in later life.
“My impression of Mr Lloyd-Lavery was principally formed when I got to know him when he was working at Stormont,” the reference states.
“By that time, he was a middle aged man in his late 50s and early 60s and was happily married with two adult children.
“I knew that he had a Christian faith and attended Lisburn Cathedral.
“He appeared to me to be a settled, family man who wanted to contribute to society through his work on behalf of a number of elected representatives.
“I know that he was well respected in these circles and was viewed as a person of sound judgement and good character.”
A former chair of the Ulster Unionist Party and founding member of the Loyalist Communities Council also provided a character reference for the convicted child predator.
David Campbell, who served as a senior adviser to the late First Minister David Trimble, previously told this newspaper he does not regret doing so.
Law Society NI members have been told its executive committee has asked its personnel committee to oversee the development of a new protocol for “senior officers providing personal or professional references, including the reputational, ethical and governance considerations that apply in such circumstances”.
“This matter has also highlighted wider concerns around character references in cases involving sexual violence, abuse or serious harm,” the email concludes.
“The executive committee believes the society should engage with appropriate justice-sector partners to consider whether clearer guidance, policy change or legal reform is required in relation to the use of such references.
“The issues arising from this matter will be subject to further consideration, including by council. The matter will also be included on the agenda for discussion at the next council meeting.”