Anthony David Banbrook has been struck off the roll.
The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal found the former barrister to have committed five counts of serious misconduct. Among those charges is providing legal services while on suspension as a practising lawyer.
The Auckland man also placed improper pressure on a client, who filed the complaint with the tribunal, to withdraw a complaint. He also did not advise the complainant to seek independent legal advice, the
New Zealand Law Society said.
Banbrook did not appear at his 2 November hearing, nor did he file any response.
From 15 July 2014 to 14 February 2015, Banbrook was ordered suspended from practice, but he acted in clear disregard of the tribunal’s order. He also attempted to conceal the true nature of his legal work.
“Practising law while under a suspension order shows he made a conscious decision not to comply with it. He showed a reckless disregard for the disciplinary process and the only available conclusion is a strike-off to uphold the reputation and standards of the legal profession,” said Kathryn Beck, Law Society president.
Banbrook has a history of misdeeds. In 1991, a charge against him of conduct unbecoming of a lawyer was proven. From 2010 to 2016, he also racked up four charges of unsatisfactory conduct, as well as a conviction of an offense punishable by jail.
He has been ordered to pay the complainant $10,000. He was also ordered to pay the Law Society and the tribunal costs of $56,349.20 and $3,516, respectively.
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