The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has found a charge of unsatisfactory conduct against Whangarei lawyer Elizabeth Ann Gardner to be proven.

Ms Gardner was found to have negligently made errors in the drafting of a family trust deed by failing to create a life interest in assets for the donors of the property to the trust and to include them as discretionary beneficiaries.

The tribunal also found that Ms Gardner failed to meet standards of usual practice in respect of clear record keeping, the giving of written advice, and reporting at the conclusion of the matter being transacted.

The tribunal considered the matter to be at the low end of the scale and did not require a censure or fine. Ms Gardner was ordered to pay $25,655 in costs to the New Zealand Law Society.

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