Lawyer suspended for 15 months for acting in the face of a conflict of interest and failing to pay Standards Committee fine

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended former Gisborne lawyer Edward Alexander Hunt (Mr Hunt) for a period of 15 months. Mr Hunt admitted two charges of misconduct and two charges of unsatisfactory conduct. The majority of the charges related to Mr Hunt’s conduct in…

Lawyer suspended for 12 months for overstating cost of report and failing to provide the report to the client

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended Wellington lawyer Chris Tennet (Mr Tennet) for a period of 12 months (commencing 6pm on 22 June 2023).  Mr Tennet was found guilty of misconduct after he overstated the cost of an alcohol and drug report when invoicing…

Lawyer suspended for 18 months for engaging in inappropriate behaviour with younger female colleagues

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended Christchurch lawyer Richard Dean Palmer for 18 months after finding him guilty of three charges of misconduct in November 2022. Mr Palmer engaged in behaviour which broadly fell under the heading of sexual harassment. 

Lawyer suspended for 20 months for two indecent assaults and a further sexualised assault

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended a lawyer, referred to as Mr Q, for 20 months for three assaults on two staff members (referred to as Victim A and Victim B), which all occurred in taxis following work events.

Auckland lawyer struck off for failing to respond to clients, other practitioners and information requests from a Standards Committee

Failing to act on client instructions and respond to requests from clients, fellow practitioners and a Standards Committee has led to three findings of misconduct against Neshia Holdaway (Ms Holdaway). The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found that Ms Holdaway was not a fit and proper person to…

Lawyer suspended for two years for failing vulnerable clients

Failing to act in a timely and competent manner, failing to secure client files and documents, and providing regulated services to the public other than in the course of her employment has led to a suspension of two years for former lawyer Raminderjit Kaur Dhillon (Ms Dhillon).

Successful appeal against six-week suspension

Whangārei lawyer Lynnette O’Boyle has successfully appealed a term of suspension imposed on her by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal). The Tribunal had found Ms O’Boyle guilty of misconduct and suspended her from legal practise for six weeks. This was quashed by the High Court…

Lawyer suspended for six months for altering emails, misleading Standards Committee, and other conduct

Altering emails dishonestly, misleading a Standards Committee, and other conduct has led to a six-month suspension for lawyer, Mr Y. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) considered Mr Y’s actions involved serious misconduct and that suspension was the necessary consequence. The Tribunal took into account a number of…

Lawyer fined and censured for failing to recognise conflicts

Failing to recognise and respond to conflicts has led to a finding of negligence for former Wellington lawyer Lloyd Collins. The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found Mr Collins had fallen short of his obligations when acting for Mrs M, who was a vulnerable client suffering…

Duncan Takena Stirling suspended from practice on an interim basis

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended Te Awamutu lawyer Duncan Takena Stirling from practice on an interim basis from 22 December 2022.