Former lawyer censured, ordered to repay fees and apologise for conduct in relationship property matter

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found former lawyer Robyn Leach (Ms Leach) guilty of three charges relating to her conduct in handling a relationship property matter.

Former lawyer struck off for dishonest conduct in relation to immigration clients

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found former lawyer Joanne Cottrell (Ms Cottrell) guilty of two charges of misconduct relating to professional services provided to immigration clients and a further charge relating to her convictions for misleading Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Ms Cottrell did not participate in the…

Tribunal rescinds previous finding of misconduct against former practitioner and two fresh charges admitted

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has rescinded a finding of misconduct against former Auckland practitioner, Marie Devoy (Ms Devoy) to correct “an inadvertent miscarriage of justice”. As part of the same hearing, the Tribunal made penalty orders in respect of two admitted charges of misconduct relating to…

Lawyer suspended for seeking to personally benefit from debt recovery proceedings against former client

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) made a finding of misconduct against Auckland lawyer, Jason Yang (Mr Yang) for filing debt recovery proceedings against a former client for whom he was acting without his employer’s knowledge. In addition to claiming unpaid fees, Mr Yang claimed for work that…

Disciplinary Tribunal dismisses charge relating to conduct in a trans-Tasman custody proceedings

A Standards Committee (the Committee) brought multiple disciplinary charges against a former lawyer, known as Mr K, for his conduct in relation to Family Court proceedings in Australia and New Zealand. The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) considered Mr K’s conduct was “essentially personal”, and that…

Former lawyer censured and ordered to engage in rehabilitative measures for altering emails

Altering an email chain has led to a finding of misconduct by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) in respect of a former lawyer, Mr G.

Lawyer fined, censured and made subject of supervision order for unsatisfactory conduct in relation to an estate matter

Failing to competently draft a will and administer an estate as well as discourteous conduct towards a beneficiary has led to two findings of unsatisfactory conduct by the New Zealand Lawyers and Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) in respect of Auckland lawyer Joseph Boaz Park (Mr Park). The Tribunal noted that…

Lawyer ordered to apologise for misleading and discourteous emails

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has ordered a practitioner to apologise for two emails which were discourteous and misleading in nature.  The practitioner (whom was given name suppression) accepted a charge of unsatisfactory conduct. The Tribunal made an order that the lawyer apologise to the…

Former lawyer suspended for nine months for tax evasion

Failing to file GST returns, pay GST or submit income tax returns over a ten year period has led to a nine month suspension for former Christchurch lawyer Christopher Persson. The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found that Mr Persson’s offending was serious and included a…

“Cautionary tale” – Tribunal raises concern around lack of understanding of conflicts of interest rules

Failing to recognise and appropriately manage conflicts while acting for two clients has led to a $15,000 fine and censure for Auckland lawyer Lizandra Bailey. The Tribunal noted its concern that dealing with conflicts was a risk area for the profession.