Former Wellington solicitor Andrew Pine has admitted a charge of misconduct and been suspended by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal for four months from 26 June 2015. 

Mr Pine self-reported his misconduct to the New Zealand Law Society. This included inserting a false date on a family trust deed, fabricating witness details on two authority and instructions forms, and failing to obtain legitimate authority and instruction forms before certifying an electronic mortgage instrument with Land Information New Zealand.

The New Zealand Law Society’s National Prosecutions Manager, Mark Treleaven, says while the tribunal considered that a 12-month suspension was appropriate, it took into account Mr Pine’s self-imposed suspension since he ceased employment on 21 October 2014.

Mr Pine was also ordered to pay $6,400 in costs to the Law Society and to reimburse the hearing costs of the Tribunal. The written reasons for the tribunal’s decision have been reserved.

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