3 Jul 2020
Leave to appeal was refused because the principal issue (scope of 'trust account records') did not raise a question of law capable of bona fide and serious argument nor one of sufficient public importance; the finding of reckless obstruction was a factual assessment and not a legal error, and challenges to penalty and costs raised factual matters rather than novel questions of law.
28 Mar 2019
The High Court affirmed the Tribunal: given the referral circumstances, the retainer extended beyond conveyancing mechanics to include ensuring trustees understood their duties and conflicts; the solicitor's failures amounted to negligence of a degree bringing the profession into disrepute ('high-end' negligence); multiple and prolonged trust-account breaches, including false monthly certificates, amounted to misconduct; cumulative consideration of all conduct justified suspension for three months and costs.
16 Dec 2014
Security for costs in the sum of $17,500 was ordered because the plaintiff is a non-resident with modest resources, the claim against the third defendant has balanced but unproven merits requiring further evidence and the court concluded an intermediate security amount was appropriate to protect the defendant; the proceeding was stayed until security was provided.