Society of Advocates of KwaZulu-Natal v Lange (8049/2015) [2016] ZAKZPHC 102 (15 August 2016)

Society of Advocates of KwaZulu-Natal v Lange (8049/2015) [2016] ZAKZPHC 102 (15 August 2016)

The respondent's conduct in filing a misleading affidavit before the North Gauteng High Court, influenced by her relationship with Advocate Wild, constituted a serious lapse in professional judgment and integrity. While she did not fabricate evidence, her omission of material facts was misleading and fell short of...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2016] ZAKZPHC 102
Parties
Applicant: Society of Advocates of KwaZulu-Natal; Respondent: Natalie Diana Lange
Court
Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Pietermaritzburg
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
8049/2015
Procedural Posture
Disciplinary Application / Judgment After Hearing and Order Issued
Outcome
The respondent is suspended from practising as an advocate for six months from 1 July 2016 and ordered to pay the applicant's costs, including costs of two counsel, on an attorney and client scale.
Judges
Chetty, Balton
Legal Topics
Professional Misconduct, Disciplinary Proceedings, Fit and Proper Person, Advocate Suspension
Civil Procedure Commercial and Corporate Professional Misconduct Disciplinary Proceedings Fit and Proper Person Advocate Suspension

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Parties

Society of Advocates of KwaZulu-Natal

Applicant

Natalie Diana Lange

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Disciplinary Application / Judgment After Hearing and Order Issued

  1. 1 Whether the respondent is a fit and proper person to practise as an advocate.
  2. 2 Whether the respondent's conduct in filing a misleading affidavit constitutes professional misconduct.
  3. 3 Whether the sanction of suspension, rather than striking off, is appropriate given the circumstances.

Ratio Decidendi

The respondent's conduct in filing a misleading affidavit before the North Gauteng High Court, influenced by her relationship with Advocate Wild, constituted a serious lapse in professional judgment and integrity. While she did not fabricate evidence, her omission of material facts was misleading and fell short of the ethical standards required of advocates. The disciplinary committee and the court found that, although the respondent's actions were influenced by external factors and she showed genuine remorse, the misconduct warranted a sanction. However, given her previously unblemished record, psychological trauma, and the likelihood that she would not repeat such conduct, the court...

Court Disposition

The respondent is suspended from practising as an advocate for six months from 1 July 2016 and ordered to pay the applicant's costs, including costs of two counsel, on an attorney and client scale.

Orders

  • The respondent is suspended from practising as an advocate for a period of six (6) months, such suspension to operate from 1 July 2016.
  • The respondent is to pay the applicant’s costs, including the costs of two (2) counsel, on an attorney and client scale.