Professional Misconduct and Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct
Quick Take
1Continuing to engage in legal practice after refusal of renewal of a practising certificate, even for a short period and even in a haphazard way, constitutes professional misconduct that may be characterised as disgraceful or dishonourable conduct.
2Abandoning a legal practice without making provision for winding up client affairs, closing trust accounts, or notifying the regulator constitutes professional misconduct demonstrating unfitness to practise.
3A deliberate or unexplained failure to respond to inquiries from a legal services regulator is inherently serious professional misconduct as it indicates a lack of candour relevant to fitness to remain in the profession.
