Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Dennis [2015] NSWCATOD 95

Civil and Administrative Tribunal New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Dennis [2015] NSWCATOD 95 Hearing dates: 25 and 26 May 2015 Decision date: 16 September 2015 Jurisdiction: Occupational Division Before: D Patten Principal Member S Hale Senior Member E Hayes General Member Decision: 1. That the Solicitor is guilty of professional misconduct.

2. That this matter be listed for directions on 21 September 2015 at 9.30am. Catchwords: Multiple breaches of statutory obligations-finding of professional misconduct Legislation Cited: Legal Profession Act Cases Cited: Brook v Reed [2011] EWCA CIV 331 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (Applicant) Bruce Vernon Dennis (Respondent) Representation: Solicitors: C Webster SC and P Maddigan (Applicant) J Johnson (Respondent) File Number(s): 1420117

reasons for decision 1. This is an application by the Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (the Council) for a finding of professional misconduct or unsatisfactory professional conduct against Bruce Vernon Dennis (the Solicitor) and for consequential orders including an order that the name of the Solicitor be removed from the roll. 2. The misconduct alleged related to the Solicitor's dealings with about 20 clients. Particulars of allegations occupied some 35 pages in the Application was filed on 4 March 2014. We are indebted to Counsel and their solicitors for reducing on the second day of the hearing a large volume of complex material to a Statement of Agreed Facts Exhibit B which we reproduce below: