Council of the Law Society of NSW v Webb [2012] NSWADT 114

Administrative Decisions Tribunal New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Council of the Law Society of NSW v Webb [2012] NSWADT 114 Hearing dates: 22 and 23 March 2012 Decision date: 14 June 2012 Jurisdiction: Legal Services Division Before: M Chesterman, Deputy President J Currie, Judicial Member R Fitzgerald, Non-judicial Member Decision: 1. The Respondent is guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct. 2. The proceedings are set down for further directions at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday 20 June 2012. Catchwords: Solicitor - disciplinary application - failure to confirm retainer or make direct contact with client - reliance on agent to transmit advice and documents to clients - scope of retainer - conflict between duties to clients Legislation Cited: Interpretation Act 1987 Legal Profession Act 1987 Legal Profession Act 2004 Cases Cited: Chandra v Perpetual Trustees Victoria Ltd [2007] NSWSC 694 Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v Asuzu [2011] NSWADT 209 David v David [2009] NSWCA 8 Dominic v Riz [2009] NSWCA 216 Eade v Vogiazopoulos (No 2) [1999] 3 VR 889 Ginelle Finance Pty Ltd v Diakakis [2007] NSWSC 60 New South Wales Bar Association v Bland [2010] NSWADT 34 In the matter of Spero Pitsikas (1995) 1 LPDR (No 1) 5 Stirling Harbour Services Pty Ltd v Bunbury Port Authority (2000) ATPR 41-752 Tillmanns Butcheries Pty Ltd v Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union (1979) 42 FLR 331 Texts Cited: Riley, Solicitors Manual: Commentary (ed G Dal Pont: Butterworths, 2005, updated) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (Applicant) Peter James Webb (Respondent) Representation: Counsel S Barnes (Applicant) D Lloyd (Respondent) Council of the Law Society of NSW (Applicant) Eakin McCaffery Cox (Respondent) File Number(s): 112026