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.

Lawyer censured for accessing Court cells for an improper reason

Using his position as a lawyer to access the Court cells for an improper reason has led to a finding of misconduct and a censure for Auckland lawyer Justin Harder. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found that Mr Harder’s actions were transitory in nature, but involved a…

Lawyer struck off for tax evasion and misusing trust account funds

A conviction for tax evasion and a finding of misconduct for misusing client funds has led to a strike off for former Hamilton lawyer Wayne Revell. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) held that both charges were grave, implied a gross lack of ethical behaviour and that Mr…

Lawyer found to have engaged in misconduct by behaving inappropriately with younger female colleagues

Behaviour which broadly fell under the heading of sexual harassment has led to three findings of misconduct for Christchurch lawyer Richard Dean Palmer. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found that Mr Palmer’s conduct towards young female colleagues on three separate occasions was disgraceful and dishonourable. Three other…

Lawyer struck off for sustained series of unprofessional actions

Breaching a binding settlement agreement, engaging in meritless attacks and making dishonest and misconceived allegations in the course of litigation has led to a finding of misconduct and strike off for former Wellington lawyer Caroline Sawyer. Dr Sawyer was also ordered to pay the Committee's costs and the Tribunal's costs.

Lawyer suspended for 12 months for acting outside terms of practising certificate and “woeful performance” for a client

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended Stephen Potter for a period of 12 months following on from its earlier findings that Mr Potter had engaged in misconduct by accepting instructions to act as an employment representative while working as an employed lawyer.  The Tribunal also found…