A solicitor's failure to supervise an unqualified secretary, resulting in clients being deceived about having independent legal representation in a mortgage transaction, constitutes unprofessional conduct under s 3B(1)(c) of the Queensland Law Society Act 1952, but where there is no personal dishonesty, the error is quickly corrected, no actual harm results, and the practitioner shows remorse, a fine and costs order (rather than suspension or striking off) is within the range of appropriate penalties. Disciplinary tribunals must give at least basic findings and reasons for their penalty decisions.
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