The profession’s watchdog is to fight two opposing claims over whether it should disclose details of a closed investigation into ‘Harry Potter’ lawyer Alan Blacker.

The Law Society Group, which incorporates the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), was told in August by the freedom of information adjudicator (FOIA) that it should disclose 23 documents detailing its dealings with Blacker and a charity run by him.

The FOIA ruled on the disclosure following a rejected freedom of information request that was lodged with the Group asking for details of the SRA’s closed investigations into Blacker.

Blacker has threatened to sue the regulator should it make the documents public. He has filed for injunctive relief at the High Court.

Meanwhile, the SRA is being threatened with judicial review action by a second claimant, who has remained anonymous, should it choose to ignore the FOIA order.

Both claimants are lawyers by profession and are understood to be representing themselves.

Bevan Brittan partner Iain Miller has been called upon to fight the claims for the SRA.

In its defence the SRA said the FOIA order was not “formally binding” and “the appropriate course is for the adjudicator to issue a further determination”.

The same document contained details of Blacker’s claim against the Law Society Group. It said Blacker was threatening to sue the Law Society over disclosure of the documents.

Blacker is now understood to have filed for injunctive relief at the High Court.

An SRA spokesperson said: “We cannot comment if proceedings are imminent.”

Last week it emerged that Blacker will face the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal on 4 November, although the exact allegations levelled by the SRA against him are not yet known.

The proposed judicial review follows news of another serious potential legal challenge against the SRA this week. 

The Lawyer revealed on Tuesday (29 September) that HM Revenue & Customs and other creditors of liquidated firm Manches had sought legal advice on plans to launch a judicial review of the SRA’s handling of the firm’s collapse.

Blacker first attracted national attention last year following an incident in Cardiff Crown Court when a judge criticised him for looking like “something out of Harry Potter”.

Judge David Wynn Morgan slammed the solicitor-advocate for appearing in court to defend a client accused of death by dangerous driving wearing St John Ambulance medals and ribbons on his court robes. The judge also questioned Blacker’s right as a solicitor advocate to wear the robes and wig of a barrister.