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 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 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 appealed, then the fact of the 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. They can only do so 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 the Act, Section 89C. 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | John Mark Fitzpatrick | Professional Misconduct & Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct | Recommend that proceedings be commenced in the Supreme Court | |
|
Full name
John Mark Fitzpatrick
Business address *
U1, 121 Walkerville Terrace, Walkerville SA 5081
Date(s) of admission
15 December 1986
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
Failure to respond to requests for information from the Commissioner, failure to respond to Notices issued by the Commissioner, failure to lodge low fee earner declaration in breach of undertaking, failure to respond to requests from Law Society for documentation relating to MCPD requirements, delay without reasonable excuse, failure to respond to solicitors acting for former client, breach of Supreme Court order, breach of condition on practising certificate, multiple breaches of Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules and duties owed to client, dishonesty, failing to complete MCPD requirements and making a false and misleading statement.
Decision
Professional Misconduct & Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct
Date of decision
20 June 2024
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
Regulatory authority
Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
Appeal
Decision or order
Link to published decision , Link to published decision , Link to published decision , Link to published decision
|
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| 2024 | William Chau | Professional Misconduct | Reprimand | |
|
Full name
William Chau
Business address *
262-264 Halifax Street, ADELAIDE SA 5000
Date(s) of admission
14 April 2009
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
• Failure to pay previously ordered fine
• Failure to complete Mandatory Continuing Professional Development
• Failure to complete mandatory accredited Law Practice Management Course
Decision
Professional Misconduct
Date of decision
11 June 2024
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
Practitioner has not held a Practising Certificate since 30 June 2023
Regulatory authority
Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
Appeal
Decision or order
Link to published decision
|
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| 2024 | Tania Jane Furler | Professional Misconduct | Multiple Disciplinary Action | |
|
Full name
Tania Jane Furler
Business address *
Suite 2, 388 Brighton Road, HOVE SA 5048
Date(s) of admission
17 February 2014
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
Extensive and systemic breaches of Trust accounting requirements over a period of 6 years to the end of 2022.
Decision
Professional Misconduct
Date of decision
24 May 2024
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
The amount of the fine is $ 2,000.00.
In conducting her legal practice, the Practitioner must not at any time prior to 30 June 2026:
(a) be the sole legal practitioner signatory to any Trust account; or
(b) open or operate a sole legal practice, whether or not incorporated, but shall only practise as a barrister or employed solicitor.
The Practitioner must undertake the following education:
(a) to complete and pass the Rule 15 Refresher Course in Trust accounting provided on-line by the Society, and in that regard:
(b) that education shall be undertaken and the assessment passed on or before 1 August 2024; and
(c) that education shall be in addition to the Practitioner’s compulsory MCPD units for the CPD year ending on 31 March 2025
Regulatory authority
Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner
Appeal
Decision or order
Decision not published
|
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| 2024 | Roxanne Marie McCardle | Professional Misconduct (in WA) | Other | |
|
Full name
Roxanne Marie McCardle
Business address *
PO Box 2370, Bundaberg QLD 4670
Date(s) of admission
08 May 2006
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
1. Nine instances of either maintaining, or commencing and maintaining, applications or appeals which were an abuse of process;
2. A number of instances of making submissions or communicating with a court in a manner which was discourteous, intemperate and scandalous;
3. Misreading from transcript in a manner which had the potential to mislead an appeal court where the Practitioner was recklessly indifferent to that possibility; and
4. Swearing and filing an affidavit that was false in a material respect, and being recklessly indifferent as to whether the affidavit was false and whether the appeal court would be misled by it.
Decision
Professional Misconduct (in WA)
Date of decision
24 April 2024
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
WASAT recommended that the Practitioner's name be removed from an interstate Roll, being the Roll in SA.
Primary Decision - 22/12/2023
Penalty Decision - 24/04/2024, published on 06/05/2024
Regulatory authority
State Administrative Tribunal of WA (WASAT)
Appeal
Decision or order
Link to published decision , Link to published decision
|
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| 2024 | Christian Hugo Cifuentes | Professional Misconduct | Multiple Disciplinary Action | |
|
Full name
Christian Hugo Cifuentes
Business address *
Level 2, 70 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Date(s) of admission
08 February 2010
Jurisdiction(s) of admission
Home jurisdiction *
South Australia
Substance of Conduct Matter
Failure to keep Trust account and trust records in compliance with Legal Practitioners Act and Regulations.
Decision
Professional Misconduct
Date of decision
18 April 2024
Disciplinary action taken
Notes
Practitioner has undergone further training and education regarding trust accounting.
Regulatory authority
Legal Professional Conduct Commissioner
Appeal
Decision or order
Decision not published
|
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