Council of the Law Society of NSW v Rebecca Lea Hutton (aka Rebecca Lea Taylor) [2012] NSWADT 48

Administrative Decisions Tribunal New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Council of the Law Society of NSW v Rebecca Lea Hutton (aka Rebecca Lea Taylor) [2012] NSWADT 48 Decision date: 03 February 2012 Jurisdiction: Legal Services Division Before: The Hon G Mullane (Judicial Member) Ms S Hale (Judicial Member) Mr C Bennett (Non-Judicial Member) Decision: 1 Any law practice is prohibited from employing or paying the Respondent in connection with the legal practice engaged in by the law practice, without approval under Section 17 of the Legal Profession Act 2004 . 2 The Respondent must pay the Applicant's costs in these proceedings in the sum of $2,000.00 on or before 3 August 2013. Catchwords: Law Practice - Lay Associate - Disciplinary proceedings - Fraud on the law practice - Order that no law practice employ or pay the lay associate. Legislation Cited: Legal Profession Act 2004 Category: Principal judgment Parties: The Council of the Law Society of NSW (Applicant) Rebecca Lea Hutton (aka Rebecca Lea Taylor) (Respondent) Representation: Council of the Law Society of NSW (Applicant) No Appearance for the Respondent File Number(s): 112031

LEGAL SERVICES DIVISION

The Hon G Mullane (Judicial Member), Ms S Hale (Judicial Member), Mr C Bennett (Non-Judicial Member)

REASONS FOR DECISION

INTRODUCTION 1This was a hearing of proceedings against the Respondent, who had been employed as a Secretary and Para-legal in a law practice. The proceedings were commenced by the Law Society of NSW by its Application filed 11 October 2011.