Lawyer fined after providing inaccurate solicitor’s certificate

A Standards Committee (Committee) determined that a lawyer, Mr G, breached his professional obligations under the Lawyers and Conveyancers (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 (RCCC) by issuing an inaccurate solicitor’s certificate. The Committee considered that the breaches amounted to a moderately serious level of unsatisfactory conduct. Mr G…

Directorship in professional trustee company created a conflict of interest

A Standards Committee (Committee) has found that a lawyer, Mr A, engaged in unsatisfactory conduct by acting for a company while being indirectly involved with a shareholder. Mr A was a director of a professional trustee company that was a trustee of a trust that held shares in a company…

Senior lawyers should recognise power imbalances when socialising with junior colleagues

A Standards Committee (Committee) determined that Mr B, a senior lawyer, engaged in unsatisfactory conduct by inappropriately touching two lawyers more junior than him while dancing after a team function. The Committee concluded Mr B’s conduct was unprofessional and would be regarded by lawyers of good standing as being unacceptable.…

Multiple breaches of fundamental obligations results in fine of $5,000

A Standards Committee (Committee) determined that a lawyer, Mr Z, engaged in unsatisfactory conduct while representing a client, Ms A, in a separation matter. Mr Z failed to provide Ms A with fresh terms of engagement, failed to follow instructions, did not provide adequate advice on the terms of a…

Lawyers fined $4,000 each after failing to recognise ‘obvious’ conflict of interest

A Standards Committee (Committee) determined that two lawyers, Mr X and Mr Y, engaged in unsatisfactory conduct after they failed to recognise a conflict of interest when acting as counsel in a criminal trial. The Committee found that they had breached rules 6 and 6.1 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers…

Two lawyers breach duties in family law matter - unsatisfactory conduct

A Standards Committee (Committee) determined that two lawyers, Ms X and Mr Y, engaged in unsatisfactory conduct while representing a client, Ms A, in a family law matter. The Committee found that Mr Y failed to: act competently, provide a letter of engagement, disclose all relevant materials to Ms A,…

Barrister fined and ordered to make practice available for inspection after failing to keep client funds in trust account

A Standards Committee (Committee) determined that a lawyer, Mr T, engaged in unsatisfactory conduct after he failed to comply with the obligation to hold client money paid without an invoice in a trust account. The Committee held that Mr T was in breach of s 110 of the Lawyers and…

Lawyer fined $2,500 for breaching duty of confidentiality

A Standards Committee (Committee) determined that a lawyer, Mr B, engaged in unsatisfactory conduct after he disclosed details of a previous retainer to the media in breach of rule 8 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 (RCCC). Mr B was ordered to pay…

Lawyer fined $1,000 after acting in a situation where there was a conflict of interest

A Standards Committee (Committee) determined that a lawyer, Ms P, engaged in unsatisfactory conduct after she represented a client, Mr N, while in a domestic relationship with him. The Committee considered that this was a breach of her duty to be free from compromising influences, to exercise independent judgement, to…

Lawyer’s cumulative behaviour towards member of staff amounts to bullying and unsatisfactory conduct

A Standards Committee (Committee) determined that a lawyer, Ms A, breached rules 10, 10.1 and 10.3 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 (RCCC) after three interactions with a member of her staff, Ms B, amounted to bullying and unsatisfactory conduct. The Committee considered…