Lawyer suspended for 20 months for two indecent assaults and a further sexualised assault

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended a lawyer, referred to as Mr Q, for 20 months for three assaults on two staff members (referred to as Victim A and Victim B), which all occurred in taxis following work events.

Auckland lawyer struck off for failing to respond to clients, other practitioners and information requests from a Standards Committee

Failing to act on client instructions and respond to requests from clients, fellow practitioners and a Standards Committee has led to three findings of misconduct against Neshia Holdaway (Ms Holdaway). The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found that Ms Holdaway was not a fit and proper person to…

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…