2017 - 2016

LSC v Nicholas Martin Braid [2017]

The respondent was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, two offences, one under section 24 of the Legal Profession Act 2007 (the Act), by engaging in legal practice when he was not an Australian legal practitioner, and the second under section 25 of the Act, by holding himself out as a solicitor when he was not entitled to practise law. He accepted money for his “legal services”. On each charge the respondent was sentenced to three months imprisonment, served concurrently with each other.

LSC v Reichman QDC [2017] 158

The respondent was charged under section 24 of the Legal Profession Act 2007 with engaging in legal practice when he was not an Australian legal practitioner. The respondent pleaded not guilty and, following a two day trial in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, was convicted of engaging in legal practice when not entitled to do so, and fined $1,500. It was found that he had attended several police interviews with various “clients”, and given them legal advice throughout. He had also signed a form claiming to be a solicitor. The respondent appealed the conviction, and the Legal Services Commissioner cross-appealed the sentence. Both appeals were dismissed.

LSC v Barry Harvey [2017]

The defendant was charged with, and found guilty of, one offence under section 25 of the Legal Profession Act 2007, by holding himself out as entitled to practice law when he was not so entitled. He represented to Byrne SJA that he was entitled to engage in legal practice when he was not admitted to practice. He was convicted and fined $1000.00 and ordered to pay costs in the amount of $1,750.00.

LSC v Pearson 2017

The Defendant engaged in legal practice by providing assistance (drafting court documents and legal correspondence) to a plaintiff suing a bank and then sought to recover his “legal costs” of $140,000. The defendant was ordered to pay $1,500.00 fine. No conviction was recorded.

LSC v Jesse Adam Bond [2016]

The respondent was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, two offences: one under section 24 of the Legal Profession Act 2007 (the Act), by engaging in legal practice when he was not an Australian legal practitioner, and the second under section 25 of the Act, by holding himself out as a solicitor when he was not entitled to practise law, pretending to be employed by a fictitious law firm, BHLS partners.  For his breaches of the Act he was convicted and sentenced to a period of 4 months on each charge, served concurrently with each other.