Berger v Council of the Law Society of NSW [2013] NSWSC 1080

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Berger v Council of the Law Society of NSW [2013] NSWSC 1080 Hearing dates: 19 and 22 July 2013 Decision date: 14 August 2013 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Beech-Jones J Decision: Appeal against suspension of practising certificate dismissed. Decision to appoint manager to law practice set aside. Catchwords: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS - suspension of practising certificate - appeal against suspension - where suspension for alleged misappropriation of funds - hearing de novo - whether suspension necessary in the public interest - whether necessary to make findings of dishonesty - Legal Profession Act 2004, ss 548 and 549 Legislation Cited: - Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) - Evidence Act 1995 - Legal Profession Act 2004 - Legal Profession Regulation 2005 - Powers of Attorney Act 2003 - Probate and Administration Act 1898 Cases Cited: - Briginshaw v Briginshaw [1938] HCA 34; 60 CLR 336 - Clyne v New South Wales Bar Association [1960] HCA 40; 104 CLR 186 - Council of the Law Society v Doherty [2010] NSWCA 177 - Daily Pty Ltd, The v White (1946) 63 WN (NSW) 262 - Doherty v The Law Society of New South Wales (Supreme Court of New South Wales, James J, 29 August 2008, unreported) - Doherty v The Law Society of New South Wales & Anor (Supreme Court of New South Wales, James J, 11 September 2008, unreported) - Doherty v The Law Society of New South Wales [2008] NSWCA 269 - Health Care Complaints Commission v Litchfield (1997) 41 NSWLR 630 - Hogan v Australian Crime Commission [2010] HCA 21; 240 CLR 651 - Legal Services Commissioner v Brereton [2011] VSCA 241; 33 VR 126 - Macleod v R [2003] HCA 24; 214 CLR 230 - New South Wales Bar Association v Cummins [2001] NSWCA 284; 52 NSWLR 279 - New South Wales Bar Association v Stevens [2003] NSWCA 95 - O'Sullivan v Farrer [1989] HCA 61; 168 CLR 210 - Peters v R [1998] HCA 7; 192 CLR 493 - R v Ghosh [1982] QB 1053 - Solicitor, A v Council of the Law Society of New South Wales [2013] NSWSC 921 - Veghelyi v Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (1989) 17 NSWLR 669 - Wellington Steam Ferry Company (Limited) (In Liquidation) v Wellington Deposit, Mortgage And Building Association (Limited) (1915) 34 NZLR 913 - Williams, In re; Williams v Ball [1917] 1 Ch 1 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Victor Berger (Plaintiff) Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: I.E. Davidson SC, P.D. Reynolds (Plaintiff) Ms J.S. Gleeson SC (Defendant) Solicitors: Remington & Co (Plaintiff) Law Society of NSW (Defendant) File Number(s): 2013/205134