Wellington barrister Quentin Duff was censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal last week after he admitted to unsatisfactory conduct.
Duff declared that he had not been a director of a company that had been put into liquidation on an application for a practising certificate, but the tribunal found the declaration to be false as Duff had previously been the director of three companies which had been put into liquidation.
According to a report by the Law Society, The Tribunal accepted that he had not acted dishonestly, but said the matter was serious and worth of censure.
“Each year when renewing their practising certificate all lawyers are required to complete a declaration that no matter has arisen that might affect their fitness to practise as a lawyer,” said
New Zealand Law Society president Chris Moore.
“It is, of course, essential that the declaration be correct.
“While a lawyer may mistakenly make an incorrect declaration, high standards of accuracy and care are required of all lawyers. The declaration of fitness to practise is a very important action.”
Duff was ordered to pay the New Zealand Law Society costs of $5,000 and to reimburse hearing costs of $2,011.
