Disciplinary Register
The Register of Disciplinary Action contains information about lawyers who have been disciplined
Disciplinary action may be taken by the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner, the Tribunal (previously the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal), the Supreme Court or in some cases, by their interstate equivalents.
Below you can search the Register by lawyer’s name and/or the disciplinary action taken, or view the entire Register.
A finding of Professional Misconduct, whether made by the Commissioner, the Tribunal (previously the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal) or the Supreme Court, must be published on the Register.
A less serious finding of Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct may be included on the Register, at the discretion of the Commissioner.
Not all lawyers subject to disciplinary action prior to 1 July 2014 are listed on the Register. Only lawyers who have been struck-off (ie removed from practice), suspended from practice or placed under supervision for a period of time (and which was in effect as at 1 July 2014) are on the Register. Some information is not on the Register for older disciplinary actions.
Lawyers found guilty of misconduct in other jurisdictions may have their details published on an interstate disciplinary action register.
If a finding that is entered on the Register is reviewed or appealed, then the fact of the review or appeal will also be noted on the Register. If the appeal, or indeed any review:
- results in the finding being quashed, then any reference to that disciplinary action must be removed from the Register;
- results in the finding being otherwise varied, then the Register will be amended appropriately.
The Commissioner has a discretion to remove information that was previously included on the Register. That can only occur where the information relates to relatively minor misconduct, and only if it has been at least 2 years since the later of:
- the inclusion of the information on the Register; and
- the fulfilment of the order or requirement to which the information relates.
Disclaimer: The Commissioner is required to maintain the Register of Disciplinary Action in accordance with section 89C of the Act. While all reasonable care is taken to make sure the information on the Register is correct and up-to-date, the Commissioner is not liable for any loss or damage that may result from reliance on the Register or from any error or deficiency in the Register. The Commissioner also has certain specific protections from liability under section 89F of the Act.
| Date of decision | Full name | Decision | Disciplinary action taken | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Jeffrey David Vigar | Unprofessional Conduct | Recommend that proceedings be commenced in the Supreme Court | |
|
Full name
Jeffrey David Vigar
Business address *
7 First Avenue, Naracoorte SA 5271
Date(s) of admission
06 February 1979
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
Gross negligence in the provision of legal services. Intentionally and dishonestly misleading a client.
Decision
Unprofessional Conduct
Date of decision
12 February 2019
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
Regulatory authority
Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
Appeal
Decision or order
Link to published decision
|
||||
| 2018 | Mark Christopher Sander | Professional Misconduct | Multiple Disciplinary Action | |
|
Full name
Mark Christopher Sander
Business address *
Level 1, 191 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide SA 5006
Date(s) of admission
01 February 1981
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
Failure to progress the conduct of a matter on behalf of his client.
Decision
Professional Misconduct
Date of decision
10 December 2018
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
Regulatory authority
Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner
Appeal
Decision or order
Decision not published
|
||||
| 2018 | Maddalena Romano | Unsatisfactory Conduct (pre 01/07/14) | Multiple Disciplinary Action | |
|
Full name
Maddalena Romano
Business address *
194A Prospect Road, Prospect SA 5082
Date(s) of admission
11 February 2002
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
Failing to ensure the veracity of representations made to the Legal Services Commission and facilitating the making of false claims to the Legal Services Commission by completing and/or signing commitment certificates seeking payment of a disbursement that had not been incurred and for work that was not done.
Decision
Unsatisfactory Conduct (pre 01/07/14)
Date of decision
28 June 2018
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
Conduct finding by Full Court on Appeal (SCCIV-17-281). Remitted back to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal to deal with penalty & costs (no. 1/2015)
Regulatory authority
Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
Appeal
Decision or order
Link to published decision , Link to published decision
|
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| 2018 | Neil Leonard Strawbridge | Unprofessional Conduct and Professional Misconduct | Multiple Disciplinary Action | |
|
Full name
Neil Leonard Strawbridge
Business address *
Cleveland Chambers, Level 1, 133 Archer Street, North Adelaide SA 5006
Date(s) of admission
06 February 1989, 07 March 1967
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
Failure to do MCPD, submitting false certificate of compliance.
Decision
Unprofessional Conduct and Professional Misconduct
Date of decision
20 April 2018
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
Fine of $3,000.00, 2 years to pay. Practitioner must provide details of proof of MCPD completed in each year to the Law Society of South Australia with his certificate of compliance, if intending to renew his Practising Certificate
Regulatory authority
Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner (Delegate)
Appeal
Decision or order
Decision not published
|
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| 2017 | Steven John Gareth Thomas | Practitioner's name struck off the Roll | Struck off | |
|
Full name
Steven John Gareth Thomas
Business address *
C/- Howard Zelling Chambers, GHD Building, Level 12, 211 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Date(s) of admission
16 December 1991
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
(1) Fraudulent Misappropriation (2) Swearing false affidavit and permitting to be filed in Court
Decision
Practitioner's name struck off the Roll
Date of decision
05 December 2017
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
Strike off by consent
Regulatory authority
Supreme Court
Appeal
Decision or order
Link to published decision
|
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