Struck off for serious defaults in client care and persistent failures to engage in investigations

Serious defaults in client care and persistent failures to engage in resulting investigations have seen the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal order that Michael Rawiri Taia be struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors.

Failure to remedy account errors leads to censure and compensation

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has issued a censure and ordered compensation in response to misconduct by a now-retired lawyer who wrongly paid out money from his trust account, attempted to conceal his default, and failed to repay the money.

Fine imposed for acting outside of the terms of a practising certificate

Acting outside of the terms of his practising certificate by representing people and entities in ‘leaky building’ litigation while he was an employed lawyer has resulted in a finding (by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal) of misconduct for lawyer Barry Brill. The Tribunal also found that Mr Brill had engaged…

Tribunal orders fine, censure and costs for misconduct in business dealing unconnected to legal services

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has made an order for a fine, censure and costs against Auckland lawyer Quentin Duff. 

Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal finds acting outside of the terms of a practising certificate to be misconduct

Acting outside of the terms of his practising certificate by representing people and entities in ‘leaky building’ litigation while he was an employed lawyer has resulted in a finding (by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Tribunal) of misconduct for lawyer Barry Brill.

Four month suspension, apology and costs ordered after practitioner engages in an intimate relationship with a client, misleads Standards Committee

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended a lawyer for four months and ordered him to apologise and pay costs after he accepted that he had engaged in misconduct.

Significant suspension imposed for misconduct

The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has received the independent Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal’s reserved penalty decision imposing a two-year suspension and costs of over $100,000 on James Gardner-Hopkins for findings of misconduct.  “While a sterner penalty was sought by the Standards Committee, it is…

Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal finds lack of supervision and “utmost candour” to be misconduct

Failing to disclose relevant pieces of information to the High Court in a without notice application for a freezing order has resulted in a finding by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal of misconduct for Auckland lawyer Royal Reed.

Suspension, supervision and costs to pay for letters containing false allegations designed to damage employment relationships

After a defended hearing, the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has made a finding of misconduct against Lynette O’Boyle.

Taking personal advantage of mother in conveyancing transactions leads to suspension and costs

Kylee Jacobsen has admitted two charges of misconduct to the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal and was found guilty of a third. All charges arose out of conveyancing transactions involving her mother to who she had a close relationship. The charges related to acting in circumstances of conflict, failing to…