Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Leslie [2013] NSWADT 81

Administrative Decisions Tribunal New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Leslie [2013] NSWADT 81 Hearing dates: 2 April 2013 Decision date: 02 April 2013 Jurisdiction: Legal Services Division Before: M Riordan, Judicial member N Isenberg, Judicial Member J Butlin, Non-Judicial Member Decision: The Solicitor is guilty of professional misconduct on the grounds alleged in the Application. 1.The Solicitor is reprimanded. 2.The Solicitor is to pay a fine of $4,000. 3.The Solicitor is to pay the Applicant's costs, as agreed or assessed. 4.Leave granted to the Complainant, Mr Ciaran Donnelly, pursuant to s570 (4) LPA to request the making of a compensation order. Catchwords: Solicitor - professional misconduct - failure to adequately prepare the complainant's case - failure to comply with Court timetables - failure to attend Court for the hearing - making of an application for a compensation order Legislation Cited: Legal Profession Act, 2004 Cases Cited: Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336; Allinson v General Council of Medical Education and Registration [1894] QBD 750 at 768; New South Wales Bar Association v Cummins (2001) 52 NSWLR 279; Walter v Council of Queensland Law Society Inc (1988) 62 ALJR 153 at 157; Smith v New South Wales Bar Association (1992) 176 CLR 256 (at 270); Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 (at 441-442); Category: Principal judgment Parties: Council of the Law Society of NSW (Applicant) James Edward Leslie (Respondent) Representation: C Groenewegen, (Applicant) J Leslie (Respondent, in Person) File Number(s): 122029