Council of the Law Society of NSW v Webb

The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales brought a disciplinary application against a respondent, a legal practitioner, alleging unsatisfactory professional conduct. The respondent was accused of failing to confirm a retainer with a client or make direct contact with the client, instead relying on an agent to transmit advice and documents to the clients. The case also involved a conflict between the respondent's duties to two clients. The Law Society of New South Wales sought disciplinary action against the respondent, alleging that the respondent had engaged in unsatisfactory professional conduct by failing to properly confirm a retainer with a client or directly contact the client, instead relying on an agent to transmit advice and documents to the clients. Additionally, the case involved a conflict between the respondent's duties to two clients.

The court examined the respondent's actions in relation to the confirmation of the retainer and direct communication with the client. The court also considered the respondent's reliance on an agent to transmit advice and documents to the clients, and the potential conflict between the respondent's duties to the two clients. The court found that the respondent's conduct fell short of the standard expected of a legal practitioner and constituted unsatisfactory professional conduct. The court held that the respondent was guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and ordered the proceedings to be set down for further directions.