The Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of NSW v “A” (a pseudonym) [2023] NSWCA 258

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: The Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of NSW v "A" (a pseudonym) [2023] NSWCA 258 Hearing dates: On the papers Date of orders: 27 October 2023 Decision date: 27 October 2023 Before: Ward P; Payne JA; Stern JA Decision: 1. Pursuant to ss 7(a) and 8(1)(d) of the Court Suppression and Non-Publication Orders Act 2010 (NSW) the name of the respondent and the name of the victim of the respondent's offending conduct is suppressed (unless and until the victim gives consent under s 578A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) to disclose the victim's identity). 2. Declare that the respondent is not a fit and proper person to remain on the Roll of Australian Lawyers. 3. Order that the name of the respondent be removed from the Roll of Australian Lawyers. 4. Order that the respondent pay the costs of the applicant of these proceedings. Catchwords: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS – solicitors – personal misconduct – criminal convictions – misconduct involving aggravated sexual abuse – whether the practitioner not "a fit and proper person" to remain on the roll – whether the practitioner "likely to be unfit for the indefinite future" – orders not opposed Legislation Cited: Court Suppression and Non-Publication Orders Act 2010 (NSW), ss 7(a), 8(1)(d) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 61m(2), 578A Legal Profession Uniform Law 2014 (NSW), s 264(1) Cases Cited: A Solicitor v Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (2004) 216 CLR 253; [2004] HCA 1 Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Green [2022] NSWCA 257 Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Parente [2019] NSWCA 33 Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Zhukovska (2020) 102 NSWLR 655; [2020] NSWCA 163 Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v Franklin (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 428 Council of the NSW Bar Association v Power (2008) 71 NSWLR 451; [2008] NSWCA 135 Ex Parte Tziniolis; Re The Medical Practitioners Act [1967] 1 NSWR 357; (1966) 67 SR (NSW) 448 Health Care Complaints Commission v Litchfield (1997) 41 NSWLR 630 New South Wales Bar Association v Cummins (2001) 52 NSWLR 279; [2001] NSWCA 284 Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of New South Wales v Hansen [2023] NSWCA 189 Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of New South Wales v Livanes [2012] NSWCA 325 Stanoevski v The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales [2008] NSWCA 93 Ziems v The Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of New South Wales (1975) 97 CLR 279; [1957] HCA 46 Category: Principal judgment Parties: The Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of NSW (Applicant) "A" (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: CO Gleeson SC (Applicant) P Gibson (Respondent)