Former Auckland lawyer Namlee Kim has been censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after admitting a charge of negligence or incompetence reflecting on his fitness to practise or as to bring his profession into disrepute.

Acting for a client in respect of an application for a visitor's visa and/or an application under section 61 of the Immigration Act, Mr Kim misrepresented to her that he had filed the necessary documents when he had not. He requested payment of $1,730 and then a further $9,000 in order to prove to Immigration New Zealand that he had the necessary funds to be a sponsor. Mr Kim misled his client as to the status of her application and only refunded the $1,730.

The Tribunal censured Mr Kim and ordered him to pay compensation of $13,413 which included other costs incurred by his client. He was also ordered to pay the New Zealand Law Society costs of $14,039 and to reimburse the costs of the hearing.

Email: