Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Croke [2024] NSWCA 195

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Croke [2024] NSWCA 195 Hearing dates: On the papers Date of orders: 8 August 2024 Decision date: 08 August 2024 Before: Bell CJ at [1]; Leeming JA at [18]; Stern JA at [19]. Decision: 1. A declaration that Michael Anthony Croke is not a fit and proper person to remain on the Roll of Australian Lawyers maintained by the Court under s 22 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) (the Roll). 2. An order that the name Michael Anthony Croke be removed from the Roll. 3. An order that Michael Anthony Croke pay the Applicant's costs of, and incidental to, these proceedings. Catchwords: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS – disciplinary proceedings – solicitor – whether Respondent a fit and proper person to remain on the Roll of Australian Lawyers - where Respondent convicted of six offences involving false and misleading conduct and participation in a criminal group and sentenced to a term of imprisonment – where Respondent did not oppose relief sought Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) ss 93T(1A), 192G(b), 319 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 91 Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015 (NSW) r 3.1 Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) ss 22, 23, 264 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 Clarke [2022] NSWCA 57 Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Duncan [2024] NSWCA 147 Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Green [2022] NSWCA 257 Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Jafari [2020] NSWCA 53 Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Karimjee [2021] NSWCA 179 Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Zhukovska (2020) 102 NSWLR 655; [2020] NSWCA 163 Council of the NSW Bar Association v Power (2008) 71 NSWLR 451; [2008] NSWCA 135 Croke v R [2021] NSWCCA 249 Hamilton (a pseudonym) v R [2020] NSWCCA 80 Hilton v Legal Profession Admission Board [2017] NSWCA 232 Morris v Leaney [2022] NSWCA 95 New South Wales Bar Association v Cummins (2001) 52 NSWLR 279; [2001] NSWCA 284 Perish v R (2016) 92 NSWLR 161; [2016] NSWCCA 89 R v Croke [2020] NSWDC 460 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (Applicant) Mr Michael Anthony Croke (Respondent) Representation: Solicitors: