Nova Lorraine Camp has been struck off by the Court of Appeal in [2015] NZCA 15 after being convicted on charges that involved fraudulently presenting cheques totalling just over $40,000.

Ms Camp did not hold a practising certificate at the time and this meant the New Zealand Law Society did not have jurisdiction to lay charges with the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal.

The Law Society therefore had to apply to the High Court for a strike off, which then referred the decision to the Court of Appeal under s 267(1)(b) of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.

In February 2013, Ms Camp pleaded guilty to three charges of using a document to obtain a pecuniary advantage. She was sentenced to seven and a half months’ home detention and 200 hours’ community work.

Ms Camp was the treasurer of a rowing club. She was responsible for producing financial reports and budgets for the committee, as well as paying bills on behalf of the club. Over a sustained period, she presented more than 100 cheques totalling just over $40,000.

“Ms Camp abused the duty she owed to the club to act honestly and in good faith,” Justice Simon Moore said in his High Court decision, [2014] NZHC 2738.

 “Given the gravity of the offending and, in particular, the gross breach of trust involved, I am of the view that this is a proper case to make an order striking Ms Camp’s name off the roll on the grounds she is not a fit and proper person to be a practitioner.”

Ms Camp did not appear in either the High Court or the Court of Appeal, nor did she take any steps to defend the proceedings.

Admitted in January 1999, Ms Camp last held a practising certificate in 2004. The offending that led to her conviction took place in 2011 and 2012.

The Court of Appeal said it agreed with Justice Moore that it was appropriate to make an order striking Ms Camp’s name off the roll of barristers and solicitors, and accordingly made that order.