14 September 2012
Law Society comments on New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal decision
The New Zealand Law Society said the decision to strike Barry John Hart from the roll of barristers and solicitors
showed that conduct which impedes the effective regulation of the legal profession is viewed extremely seriously.
Law Society President Jonathan Temm said New Zealand’s 11,500 lawyers were required to meet very high standards in the
way they acted with their clients, with other lawyers, and with the Law Society which regulates the profession.
“Striking off is a severe penalty. It obviously has serious consequences for the lawyer who is struck off. However, as
the legislation, the tribunal and our courts have stressed, the main purpose of striking off is to protect the community
and maintain the standards of the legal profession.
“All lawyers have a duty to co-operate with and assist in regulating the profession. The tribunal’s decision has shown
that New Zealanders can have confidence that there is a clear process which ensures that obstruction of professional
regulation is not acceptable,” Mr Temm said.
Mr Temm said the tribunal had stressed that a lawyer’s approach to the Law Society’s investigation was a crucial factor
and was particularly critical of what it described as “the arrogant and derisory manner” in which Mr Hart had approached
any complaint of his conduct.
ENDS