Francis Piper [1994] NSWLST 8

The Legal Services Tribunal of New South Wales

CITATION : Francis Piper [1994] NSWLST 8 PARTIES : Francis Piper FILE NUMBER(S) : of 1993 CORAM: Mr D E Hunt (Presiding Member) - Mrs J. Bartos - Mr J.W. Brennan Professional Misconduct - make false statement :- professional misconduct as the attesting witness to signatures CATCHWORDS: professional misconduct in signing an affidavit unsatisfactory professional conduct LEGISLATION CITED: Legal Profession Act 1987 Demetrios v Gikas Dry Cleaning Industries Pty Limited (1991) 22 NSWLR 561; Law Society of NSW v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 ; CASES CITED: Fraser v Law Society of New South Wales (1992) LPDR 12 ; Demetrios (unreported) 10 May 1993, Luff (1993) 3 LPDR 1, Mitchell (1992) 1 LPDR 6; Rigney (unreported ) 12 July 1993 DATES OF HEARING: 20 April 1994 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 06/09/1994 LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES: Mr C.M. Simpson (instructed by Mr F.J. Smith) appeared for The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales. Mr C.D. Freeman (instructed by Mr P.L. Smith) appeared with and on behalf of the Solicitor.

JUDGMENT:

Determination

In this matter the Council of the Law Society of New South Wales ("the Complainant") made a complaint to the Legal Profession Disciplinary Tribunal ("the Tribunal") pursuant to Section 13 of the Legal Profession Act 1987 in respect of Francis Piper ("the Solicitor").

The Complainant alleged that the conduct of the Solicitor referred to in the complaint amounted to professional misconduct and requested orders that the Solicitor be fined and pay the costs of the Complainant of the proceedings together with such further or other orders as the Tribunal may determine.