You can search by selecting a jurisdiction, a keyword (for example a name) or browse by year.
Some jurisdictions only publish a selection of decisions. Identifying details may be removed.
Helpful search tips:
1349 items matching your search terms
Review / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / civil proceedings / complaint lawyer refused to issue proceedings and duplicated work / fee complaint / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 1.2 / rule 9 / rule 9.1 / HELD / no evidence complainant instructed lawyer to issue proceedings / Standards Committee directed to reconsider fee complaint / section 209(1)(a) / Committee’s decision otherwise confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / Waitangi Tribunal claim / complaint lawyer did not provide client file to complainant and did not have authority to act / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 1.2 / rule 4.4 / rule 4.4.1 / HELD / no breach of rule 4.4.1 / complainant not entitled to require uplift of file as they were not a client / Committee’s decision confirmed but modified to record any further action on complaint is unnecessary or inappropriate / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee found unsatisfactory conduct / estate matter / complaint lawyer did not treat complainant with respect and courtesy or promptly answer requests for information, and failed to disclose documents / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 3.1 / rule 7 / rule 7.2 / rule 9.4 / second complaint / HELD / respect and courtesy, and requests for information complaints determined in first complaint / no breach of rule 7 / complainant was not lawyer’s client / no breach of rule 9.4 / lawyer not able to provide estimate / Committee’s decision reversed as to unsatisfactory conduct findings, otherwise confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Decision regarding jurisdiction
Review / Committee found unsatisfactory conduct / conveyancing transaction / complaint lawyer misspelt client’s name on title and did not follow instructions to correct mistake / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 3 / rule 11 / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, section 137 / section 138 / complainant asked to withdraw complaint / HELD / complainant’s wishes on progressing complaint not determinative / when complainant asks to withdraw complaint, Committee’s role is to weigh request against public interest requirements / breach of rule 3 / failed to act in a timely way to correct mistake and disregarded instructions to do so / breach of rule 11 / responses to complaint and inquiry failed to preserve reputation of legal profession / Committee’s decision modified as to scope of rule 11 breach, otherwise confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee found unsatisfactory conduct / criminal proceedings / complaint lawyer did not return memory stick and did not give invoice for cash payment of fees / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 3.4A / rule 14.2 / rule 14.10 / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Trust Account) Regulations 2008, regulation 9 / regulation 10 / Skagen v Wellington Standards Committee [2016] NZHC 1772 / HELD / breach of rule 3.4A / no evidence terms of engagement provided / breach of rule 14.2(e), rule 14.10, and regulations 9 and 10 / no evidence invoices sent / memory stick complaint resolved by Disputes Tribunal / Committee’s decision confirmed but modified to conditionally increase fine / section 211(1)(a)
Complaint / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / conveyancing transaction / complaint lawyer failed to advise on land covenants, did not act in a timely manner and did not promptly address internal complaint / Burgess v Tait [2014] NZHC 2408 / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 3 / rule 3.8 / rule 5.11 / rule 7 / rule 7.1 / HELD / breach of rules 3, 7 and 7.1 / lawyer admitted they failed to advise about land covenant / however, breaches do not call for a disciplinary sanction / no professional standards issue with internal complaint process / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Complaint / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / family proceedings / complaint opposing party’s evidence was incomplete and lawyer provided false certificate / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 2.5 / rule 12 / HELD / lawyer obliged to protect and promote their client’s interests / materials suggest that court was satisfied with opposing party’s affidavit / no evidence of professional standards issue / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee found unsatisfactory conduct / estate administration / complaint lawyer administered estate to benefit one beneficiary, and provided beneficiaries with advice when their interests conflicted / fee complaint / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 6 / rule 6.1 / rule 6.1.2 / rule 12 / Hartlepool v Basildon LCRO 79/2009 / Sadler v Public Trust [2009] NZCA 364 / Hansen v Young [2004] 1 NZLR 37 (CA) / HELD / lawyer objectively advised beneficiaries until recommending they obtain independent legal advice / breach of rules 6 and 6.1 / realised estate asset to the benefit of one beneficiary / breach of rule 12 / did not keep other beneficiaries informed of progress on realising estate / Committee’s decision modified to reduce fine, reversed as to fee refund / Committee directed to reconsider whether entire fees fair and reasonable / section 211(1)(a)
Complaint / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / civil dispute / complaint lawyer was incompetent, provided negligent advice, breached duty of care, and provided poor service / fee complaint / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 3 / rule 9 / rule 9.1 / HELD / lawyer provided competent representation throughout retainer / advised on options and kept complainant informed / fees fair and reasonable having regard to relevant fee factors / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee found unsatisfactory conduct / relationship property matter / complaint lawyer unnecessarily edited settlement agreement and provided incompetent advice / fee complaint / Property (Relationships) Act 1976 / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 3 / rule 9 / rule 9.1 / Hunstanton v Cambourne LCRO 167/2009 / HELD / breach of rules 9 and 9.1 / significant amount of work billed neither productive nor necessary / little achieved when retainer terminated / unsatisfactory conduct found pursuant to sections 12(a) and 12(c) / Committee’s decision confirmed but modified to reduce fee reduction / section 211(1)(a)
Committee referred conduct complaint to Disciplinary Tribunal / allegation of permitting another lawyer to operate practice using lawyer’s trust account in breach of certificates / FF v Wellington Standards Committee LCRO 23/2011 / Orlov v New Zealand Law Society [2013] NZCA 230 / HELD / matter needs to be considered in forum appropriate for issues / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / franchise dispute / complaint opposing lawyer falsely issued and improperly served notice of breach, delayed responding, and made personal remarks / fee complaint / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 2.3 / rule 10.2 / rule 12 / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Complaints Service and Standards Committees) Regulations 2008, regulation 29 / HELD / complaint about notice of breach is a contractual dispute for the courts, complaints process is not an alternative forum / notice of breach served directly on represented complainant in compliance with exception at rule 10.2.6 / no evidence of disrespectful correspondence / no delay in responding / no special circumstances to inquire into fee complaint / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee found unsatisfactory conduct / civil proceedings and insurance settlement / complaint lawyer provided inadequate client care information, supervised incurring expert witness expenses without instructions, continued to negotiate settlement against instructions, and disclosed privileged information / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, section 209 / section 333 / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 3.4 / rule 7.1 / rule 8 / rule 8.1 / rule 8.3 / rule 9.8 / rule 9.10 / rule 13.3 / HELD / breach of rule 3.4 / client care information wrong / breach of rules 8, 8.1 and 13.3 / instructing experts is a significant decision for rule 13.3, but responsible lawyer was not disciplined by Committee so adverse finding reversed / lawyer disclosed instructions to court and continued negotiations with insurer against instructions / unsatisfactory conduct found pursuant to s 12(c) / Standards Committee directed to reconsider complaints about …
Committee referred conduct complaint to Disciplinary Tribunal / allegation of operating practice using another lawyer’s trust account in breach of certificates / FF v Wellington Standards Committee LCRO 23/2011 / Orlov v New Zealand Law Society [2013] NZCA 230 / HELD / matter needs to be considered in forum appropriate for issues / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / civil proceedings / complaint lawyers’ fees exceeded estimate and award did not merit expenditure / fee complaint / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 9.1 / rule 9.4 / HELD / fee quickly exceeded estimate / instructions changed after estimate / Committee did not adequately address whether complainant should have been informed of escalating fees / lawyer named as party in complaint did not render invoice / Committee directed to reconsider which lawyer should be the subject of complaint, whether information on escalating fees was required, and a fair and reasonable fee amount / section 209 / Committee’s decision reversed / section 211(1)(a)
Complaint / Committee found unsatisfactory conduct / employment proceedings / complaint lawyer’s representation incompetent and fees not fair and reasonable / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 3 / rule 9 / rule 9.1 / LCRO 262/2014 (28 June 2018) / Auckland Standards Committee 3 v Castles [2013] NZLCDT 53 / McGuire v New Zealand Law Society [2017] NZHC 2484 / Vallant Hooker & Partners v Toothill HC Auckland CIV-2009-404-1895, 4 September 2009 / Chean v Luvit Foods International Ltd HC Auckland CIV 2006-404-1047, 7 June 2006 / HELD / complaints process does not closely scrutinise each litigation decision / breach of rule 9 / lawyer should have formed view at outset as to prospects and costs / no evidence lawyer advised costs could exceed any award or of Calderbank offer meaning / fee calculated by reference to time recorded / no measured assessment of whether fee was reasonable / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Committee referred conduct complaint to Disciplinary Tribunal / allegation lawyer sent message enabling contractor to avoid GST and income tax obligation / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 2 / Orlov v New Zealand Law Society [2013] NZCA 230 / Zhao v Legal Complaints Review Officer [2016] NZHC 2622 / HELD / current own motion inquiry, arising out of a previous determination that did not consider the matter, is not an abuse of process or relitigation of the issue / review application of previous determination did not make findings on the issue / review of prosecutorial discretion involves LCRO considering fairness of the substance and process of Committee’s determination / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / criminal proceedings / complaint lawyer not competent, terminated retainer improperly, and did not correctly manage funds received / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 2.1 / rule 3 / rule 4.2 / rule 14.10 / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, section 110 / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Trust Account) Regulations 2008, regulation 9 / regulation 10 / Skagen v Wellington Standards Committee [2016] NZHC 1772 / HELD / taking cash without issuing an invoice may have been a conduct breach but does not merit disciplinary response / breach of rule 4.2 / did not clearly advise retainer terminated / did not attend court / unsatisfactory conduct found pursuant to sections 12(a), 12(b) and 12(c) / Committee’s decision reversed to reflect rule breach / lawyer ordered to cancel and refund fee / section 211(1)(a)
Complaint / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / civil proceedings / complaint opposing lawyer improperly pursued statutory demand and fees not fair and reasonable / duties to third parties / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 9 / Companies Act 1993, section 290 / indemnity for fees / HELD / lawyer acted on client instructions / no breach of rule 9 / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Complaint / Committee declined to take further action on complaint / trust and family matters / complaint lawyer failed as independent trustee / Hansen v Young [2004] 1 NZLR 37 / PY v SD LCRO 217/2017 (26 March 2018) / Rules of Professional Conduct for Barristers and Solicitors, rule 1.04 / section 201 / HELD / no authority to direct mediation with ex-partner as they are not a party to the review / complaint relates to lawyer’s role as trustee / no evidence of professional standards issue / application for review an abuse of process / application for review struck out / section 205(1)(d)
Complaint / Committee determined to take no further action on complaint / proceedings under Retirement Villages Act 2003 / complaint lawyer failed to comply with discovery obligations, threatened complainant and failed to respond to requests / second complaint / no further action taken on first complaint, Committee referred complainant to presiding judge / LO v RT LCRO 202/2017 (4 February 2019) / HELD / second complaint repeats aspects of first complaint and attempts to relitigate issue / opportunity to have concerns about lawyer behaviour during proceedings addressed by court is not affected by lawyer’s withdrawal as counsel / fresh correspondence alleged to be threatening merely robustly presents client’s position / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Complaint / Committee determined to take no further action on complaint / third registered mortgage extinguished by power of sale / complaint lawyer involved in transaction cannot provide current trustees with details of how the trust lost its mortgage security / P v H LCRO 02/09 (20 March 2009) / LCRO 112/2013 (30 August 2013) / Attorney-General v O’Neill [2007] NZHC 1526 / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, section 192A / section 138(1)(c) / HELD / lawyer did not act for trustees or trust / not lawyer’s responsibility to maintain trust’s records / application for review is vexatious / application for review struck out / section 205(1)(c)
Complaint / Committee determined to take no further action on complaint / civil proceedings regarding subdivision / complaint lawyer’s conduct during litigation was unsatisfactory/ Siemer v Legal Complaints Review Officer HC Auckland CIV-2010-404-986, 25 February 2011 / LCRO 42/2020 (7 July 2020) / RCN v MA LCRO 2/2019 (27 May 2020) / A v New Zealand Law Society [2017] NZHC 1712 / HELD / not the role of disciplinary process to scrutinise and validate submissions and evidence in court proceedings / no evidence of recklessness to mislead the court / Committee’s decision confirmed / section 211(1)(a)
Review / Committee determined to take no further action on complaint / relationship property proceedings / complaint opposing lawyer acted for two clients in one matter when their interests did not align / Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, rule 6.1 / HELD / lawyer’s clients have not expressed concern but complainant has sufficient interest in the complaint for inquiry to proceed / lawyer prepared draft proceedings and gave advice against existing client, contrary to that client’s interests / while both shared a view on the subject of proceedings, their interests were not aligned / client cannot instruct a lawyer to act against their own interests / technical breach of rule 6.1 / appropriate to exercise discretion not to make an adverse finding in these circumstances / Committee’s decision confirmed but modified to reflect breach of rule 6.1 / section 211(1)(a)