Legal Research
Cases
Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister

Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister

Case [1993] NSWCA 157 27 August 1993

Judicial Review

Procedural Fairness

Administrative Law

Civil Procedure

No judgment structure available for this case.

Type to search within this case.

Court of Appeal

Supreme Court

New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: LAW SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES v BANNISTER [1993] NSWCA 157
Decision date: 27 August 1993

See Attachment (PDF)

Details

AGLC: Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157
Case: [1993] NSWCA 157
Decision Date: 27 August 1993

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Law Society of New South Wales brought proceedings against Mr. Bannister, a solicitor, alleging professional misconduct. The dispute concerned Mr. Bannister's handling of a client's affairs, specifically his failure to account for funds received and his alleged misappropriation of those funds. The matter was heard by the Court of Appeal of New South Wales.

The primary legal issues before the Court of Appeal were whether Mr. Bannister had engaged in professional misconduct as defined by the relevant legislation, and if so, what disciplinary action was appropriate. This involved determining whether his conduct fell short of the standard of integrity and diligence expected of a legal practitioner, particularly in relation to his fiduciary duties to his client and his obligations under the *Legal Practitioners Act 1987* (NSW).

The Court of Appeal found that Mr. Bannister had indeed engaged in professional misconduct. It reasoned that his failure to provide a proper accounting for funds entrusted to him, coupled with evidence suggesting misappropriation, constituted a serious breach of his professional obligations. The Court applied principles of trust and fiduciary duty, emphasizing the high standard of conduct required of solicitors. The Court considered the gravity of the misconduct and the need to maintain public confidence in the legal profession.

Ultimately, the Court of Appeal ordered that Mr. Bannister be struck off the roll of solicitors.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.

Actions

Citations

Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157

Most Recent Citation

Purnell v Medical Board of Queensland [1997] QCA 253

Cases Citing This Decision

46

Council of the Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory v Legal Practitioner 012022 (Gillian Yeend) (No.2) (Occupational Discipline) [2025] ACAT 15
Citation 1

…NSWCA 145 Khosa v Legal Profession Complaints Committee [2017] WASCA 192 Law Society (ACT) v Bangura [2024] ACTSCFC 1 Law Society of NSW v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157 Law Society of NSW v Foreman (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 Law Society of NSW v Jones , unreported, 27 July 1978 Legal Practitioner v Council of the Law Societ…
Law Society (ACT) v Bangura [2024] ACTSCFC 1
Citation 2

…e [2019] ACTSCFC 1 Council of the Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory v Giles [2020] ACTSCFC 1 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157 Law Society v Walsh [1997] NSWCA 185 Legal Practitioner v Council of the Law Society of the ACT [2015] ACTCA 20 Legal Practitioners Complaints Commit…
Clifton v The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales [2021] NSWSC 1111
Citation 3

…Court and the profession demand of solicitors can not be allowed to deflect this Court from doing its duty”: cited with approval by Sheller JA in Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 (CA) at 30.’…
Council of the Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory v Giles [2020] ACTSCFC 1
Citation 4 (Para 1)

…at 30–31; Legal Services Commissioner v Rushford [2012] VSC 632; 38 VR 141 per Bell J at [39]. In Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157 at 9, Sheller JA (with whom Gleeson CJ and Handley JA agreed) said:…
MEDICAL BOARD OF AUSTRALIA and LAL [2019] WASAT 13
Citation 5 (Para 4)

…Foreman (No 2) : Giles AJA described the basis of the court's jurisdiction: at 4701. Citing Bannister [ Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157] and other cases, he referred to the protective function of general deterrence in the following terms (at 471): But the object of protection of the pub…
Legal Profession Complaints Committee v Rayney [No 2] [2018] WASAT 5 (S)
Citation 6 (Para 3)

…22; Queensland Law Society Inc v Carberry [2000] QCA 450 [38]; In Re Drew (1920) 20 SR (NSW) 463, 466; Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157; (1993) 4 LPDR 24, 27 ‑ 28; New South Wales Bar Association v Hamman [1999] NSWCA 404; (1999) 217 ALR 553 [77]. [6] Bannister (27 ‑ 28); Hamman [77]; Qui…
Khosa v Legal Profession Complaints Committee [2017] WASCA 192
Citation 7

…936] HCA 40; (1936) 55 CLR 499 In re a Practitioner (1984) 36 SASR 590 In Re Drew (1920) 20 SR (NSW) 463 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157; (1993) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (No 2) (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 Law Society of New South Wales v McNamara (1980) 47 NSWLR 72 Law…
Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of New South Wales v Dimitrious [2015] NSWCA 258
Citation 8

…v Litchfield (1997) 41 NSWLR 630 Johns v Law Society of New South Wales [1982] 2 NSWLR 1 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157; 4 LPDR 24 Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of New South Wales v Da Rocha [2013] NSWCA 151 Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of New South Wales v Livanes [2012] NSWCA…
Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v Franklin (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 428
Citation 9 (Para 1)

…intaining and encouraging appropriate standards of professional behaviour: NSW Bar Association v Hamman [1999] NSWCA 404; 217 ALR 553 at [77], citing Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24.…
Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v Costigan [2013] NSWCA 407
Citation 10 (Para 5)

…risdiction, Mason P stated at [99] the following propositions derived from the judgment of Sheller JA (with whom Gleeson CJ and Handley JA agreed) in Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24, at 27-28: "... (b) The Court's supervisory jurisdiction goes beyond protecting the public by incapacitation of the recalcitrant practition…
Double Bay Law Pty Ltd. t/a & Legal & Howard Hilton v Council of the Law Society of NSW [2013] NSWADT 182
Citation 11

…integrity of the profession is of equal importance, as has been emphasised time and time again by the courts (and recently by the Court of Appeal in Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24) and must be taken account of, it is necessary to bear in mind that an associate is not a legal practitioner, and depending on the particul…
Council of the Law Society of NSW v Sheehan [2012] NSWADT 100
Citation 12

…ty of New South Wales (unreported - 20 September 1982 BC8211696). Veghelyi v Law Society of New South Wales (Unreported - 8 February 1995 BC9505459). Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1983) 4 LPDR 24. Walter v Council of Queensland Law Society Inc (1988) 62 ALJR 153 at 157. Smith v New South Wales Bar Association (1992) 176 CLR 256 at 27…
Health Care Complaints Commission v Dr Roland Von Marburg [2012] NSWMT 5
Citation 13

…ember 1990 Council of Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 Health Care Complaints Commission v Litchfield (1997) 41 NSWLR 630 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Walsh (NSW Court of Appeal, Unreported, 15 December 1997) Walton v Momot [1997] NSWCA 334 Category: Princi…
Health Care Complaints Commission v Dr Tat Kong Joseph Tiong [2012] NSWMT 6
Citation 14

…ember 1990 Council of Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 Health Care Complaints Commission v Litchfield (1997) 41 NSWLR 630 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Walsh (NSW Court of Appeal, Unreported, 15 December 1997) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Health Car…
The Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of New South Wales v Kearns [2011] NSWCA 394
Citation 15 (Para 1)

…sdiction, Mason P stated (at [77]) the following propositions derived from the judgment of Sheller JA (with whom Gleeson CJ and Handley JA agreed) in Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24, at 27-28:…
Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Gray [2011] NSWADT 139
Citation 16

…39) 13 ALJ 563) Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v O'Donnell [2010] NSWADT 130 Law Society of New South Wales v Shenker [1999] NSWADT 37 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1983) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Walsh (unreported, December 1997) Harvey v The Law Society of New South Wales (1975) 49 ALJR 362 at 364 Ex…
Law Society of New South Wales v Stormer (No 2) [2011] NSWADT 9
Citation 17

…NSW [(1975) 49 ALJR 362] Kennedy v The Incorporated Law Institute of New South Wales 1940 ALJR 563 Harvey v The Law Society of NSW (1975) 49 ALJR 362 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 Texts Cited: "Why Lawyers Are Unhappy" by Martin E P Seligman & Ors Category:…
Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Wall [2010] NSWADT 176
Citation 18

…fel [2010] NSWADT 149 Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v Butland [2009] NSWADT 177 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157 New South Wales Bar Association v Murphy [2002] NSWCA 138 REPRESENTATION: APPLICANT A Matalani, solicitor FIRST RESPONDENT In person SECOND RESPONDENT L Muston…
Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Bharati [2010] NSWADT 159
Citation 19

…Law Society of New South Wales, Unreported, Court of Appeal, NSW, 26 April 1990, BC9002508 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister [1993] NSWCA 157 Law Society of New South Wales v Doherty [2009] NSWADT 155 Law Society of New South Wales v Doherty (No 2) [2009] NSWADT 296 Law Society of New South Wales v Goold […
Council of the Law Society of NSW v O'Donnell [2010] NSWADT 130
Citation 20

…l Member; Bubniuk L - Non-Judicial Member CATCHWORDS: Solicitor – Disciplinary Action LEGISLATION CITED: Legal Profession Act 2004 CASES CITED: Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1983) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Walsh [unreported decision in December 1997] Harvey v The Law Society of New South Wales (1975) 49 ALJR 362 at 3…
Law Society of New South Wales v Singh [2010] NSWADT 26
Citation 21

…ASES CITED: Allinson v General Council of Medical Education and Registration (1894) 1 QB 750 Briginshaw v Briginshaw [1938] HCA 34; (1938) 60 CLR 336 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1983) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Walsh [unreported decision in December 1997) Harvey v The Law Society of New South Wales (1975) 49 ALJR 36…
Law Society of New South Wales v Bowler [2009] NSWADT 83
Citation 22

…ISLATION CITED: Legal Profession Act 2004 Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003 CASES CITED: Law Society of New South Wales v Bonham [2008] NSWADT 55 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 at 28 The Law Society of New South Wales v Jones (unreported, 27 July 1978, CA NSW) Incorporated Law Institute of New South Wales v Meagher (1909…
The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Muir [2008] NSWADT 286
Citation 23

…nstitute of New South Wales v Meagher (1909) 9 CLR 655 at 681 The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Brian Thomas Muir [2008] NSWADT 237 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 at 28 Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 The Law Society of New South Wales v Jones (unreported, 27 July 1978, CA…
Law Society of New South Wales v Madden [2008] NSWADT 210
Citation 24

…ES CITED: Allinson v General Council of Medical Education and Registration (1894) 1 QB 750 Briginshaw v Briginshaw [1938] HCA 34; (1938) 60 CLR 336 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1983) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (No. 2) (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 Law Society of New South Wales v Walsh [unreported decision in December…
New South Wales Bar Association v Raphael (No. 2) [2008] NSWADT 13
Citation 25

…citor has done” (441B - C). 17 In Hamman , Mason P stated a number of propositions which emerged from Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24, one of which was the court’s supervisory jurisdiction which “goes beyond protecting the public by incapacitation of the recalcitrant practitioner. The jurisdiction aims generally to main…
Hodis v Nurses and Midwives Tribunal of NSW & 1Ors [2007] NSWSC 240
Citation 26

…lub Ltd [1977] 1 NSWLR 378 HCCC v Litchfield (1997) 41 NSWLR 630 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 Huang v Walton (NSWCA), unreported, 20 April 1993 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Walsh (NSWCA), unreported, 15 December 1997 Prakash v HCCC [2006] NSWCA 153 Saville v HCCC [2006] NSWCA 29…
NSW Bar Association v Meakes [2006] NSWCA 340
Citation 27 (Para 1)

…contention that there might be an element of double jeopardy in an order of disbarment, following a criminal conviction and sentence: see, eg, Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 at 27 (Sheller JA, Gleeson CJ and Handley JA agreeing); see also Incorporated Law Institute of New South Wales v Meagher (1909) 9 CLR 655 at 680-…
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE and EDWARD [2006] WASAT 113
Citation 28

…his Court and the profession demand of solicitors can not be allowed to deflect this Court from doing its duty': cited with approval by Sheller JA in Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 (CA) at 30."…
Law Society of New South Wales v Bouzanis [2006] NSWADT 55
Citation 29

…cil of Medical Education and Registration [1840] 1QB 750 Kennedy v The Council of the Incorporated Law Institute of New South Wales (1939) 13 ALJ 563 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Harvey [1976] 2 NSWLR 154 New South Wales Bar Association v Cummins 52 NSWLR 279 REPRESENTATION: APPLICANT…
Law Society of New South Wales v Pearson [2005] NSWADT 206
Citation 30

…rcumstances can be difficult. Following the acts and omissions which constitute the misconduct in these proceedings the Practitioner sold his interest in his Partnership and, as already outlined, thereafter worked fairly consistently as a solicitor whilst admittedly feeling his life was “on hold” pending the determination of this matter. 81 It is…
Law Society of New South Wales v Hill [2005] NSWADT 31
Citation 31

…Dupal v Law Society of New South Wales (unreported, NSWCA, 26 April 1990) In re a Practitioner [1941] SASR 48 In re a Practitioner (1982) 30 SASR 27 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 (CA) Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (1991) 24 NSWLR 238 Law Society of New South Wales v Jones (unreported, NSWCA, 27 July 1978)…
Barwick v Council of the Law Society of New South Wales [2004] NSWCA 32
Citation 32 (Para 13)

…demand of solicitors can not be allowed to deflect this Court from doing its duty’: cited with approval by Sheller JA in Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 (CA) at 30.”…
Veterinary Surgeons Investigating Committee v Howe (No 2) [2003] NSWADT 156
Citation 33

…SWADT 191 Law Society of New South Wales v Walsh (unreported, Court of Appeal, 15/12/97) McBride v Walton (unreported, Court of Appeal, 15 July 1994) Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) LPDR 24 NSW Bar Association v Evatt (1968) 117 CLR 177 Clyne v New South Wales Bar Association (1960) 104 CLR 186 Health Care Complaints Commission v…
Barwick v Law Society of New South Wales (No. 2) (LSD) [2003] NSWADTAP 4
Citation 34

…vernment Insurance Office of NSW (1997) 48 NSWLR 430 Woodside & Anor v Director General, Department of Community Services (CSD) [2000] NSWADTAP 8 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 (CA) Kennedy v Council of the Incorporated Law Institute of NSW (1939-40) 13 ALJ 563 Law Society of New South Wales v McNamara (1980) 47 NSWLR…
Rivers v Rivers [2002] SASC 437
Citation 35 (Para 27)

…conviction in criminal proceedings are not barred by autrefois convict or any wider principle of double jeopardy: see Re Weare [1893] 2 QB 439 and Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 at 27, per Sheller JA. The converse is also true and adverse disciplinary action does not bar later criminal proceedings arising out of the s…
Murphy v The Bar Association of New South Wales [2001] NSWSC 1191
Citation 36

…w (1938) 60 CLR 336 G v H (1994) 181 CLR 387 Clyne v New South Wales Bar Association (1960) 104 CLR 186 NSW Bar Association v Hamman [1999] NSWCA 404 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) LPDR 24 Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 Ex Parte Macaulay (1930) 30 SR (NSW) 193 Re Milte & Ors, Legal Practitioners (19…
Mitry v New South Wales Bar Association (LSD) [2000] NSWADTAP 9
Citation 37

…9) 9 CLR 655 Law Society of New South Wales v Foreman (1994) 34 NSWLR 408 In re Davis (1947) 75 CLR 409 Prothonotary v Pangallo (1993) 67 A Crim R 77 Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 449 Murray v Legal Services Commissioner (1999) 46 NSWLR 224 Livesey v New South Wales Bar Association (1983…
Herat and Peet v Law Society of New South Wales [2000] NSWADT 2
Citation 38

…ssion Act 1987 CASES CITED: Camille Edouard Dezarnaulds and Stephen Wawn v The Law Society of New South Wales (unreported Supreme Court 27 June 1995) Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 In the matter of Iverson (unreported 26 July 1996 No 30 of 1995 ) REPRESENTATION: APPLICANT B Herat, solicitor RESPONDENT L Pierotti, solic…
New South Wales Bar Association v Hamman [1999] NSWCA 404
Citation 39

…Honeychurch v Honeychurch (1943) SASR 31; Oudman v Warren [1963] SR (NSW) 390); Pooraka Holdings Pty Ltd v Participation Nominees Pty Ltd (1989) 90; Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24; Prothonotary v Pangallo (1993) 67 A Crim R 77; In re Daly (1896) 17 NSWLR 169; In re Hallinan 272 P 2d 768 (1954); Re a Practitioner (1984…
Walsh v Law Society of New South Wales [1999] HCA 33
Citation 40 (Para 8)

…ch the Court is called upon to determine". [19]Court of Appeal Judgment at 59, per Powell JA. [20]Court of Appeal Judgment at 60, per Powell JA. [21] Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24 per Sheller JA. [22]Court of Appeal Judgment at 62, per Powell JA. [23]Court of Appeal Judgment at 63, per Powell JA.…
Law Society of New South Wales v Shenker [1999] NSWADT 37
Citation 41

…Information 1 By an Information filed 4 May, 1998 the Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (“the Society”) complained that Meryl Faye Shenker (“the solicitor”) was guilty of professional misconduct. The grounds upon which the complaint were made were: (1) The solicitor misappropriated trust…
Rajagopalan v MBSA [1997] SASC 6363
Citation 42

…es found in, for example, Clyne v New South Wales Bar Association (1960) 104 CLR 186 , New South Wales Bar Association v Evatt (1968) 117 CLR 177 and Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24."…
Evans v Queensland Law Society [2022] QCAT 284
Citation 43 (Para 6)

…egrity of the profession is of equal importance, as has been emphasised time and time again by the courts (and recently by the Court of Appeal in Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24) and must be taken account of, it is necessary to bear in mind that an associate is not a legal practitioner, and depending on the particular l…
Law Society of New South Wales v Cornell No.2 [2006] NSWADT 308
Citation 44

…ales Bar Association v Evatt (1968) 117 CLR 177 and Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4LPDR 24.” 69 The Tribunal is very conscious of its obligation to protect the public. The sworn evidence of the Respondent accepted by the Society is that the Respondent is retired from practice as a solicitor and will not be returning. In human e…
La Fontaine v Law Society [2006] NSWADT 244
Citation 45

…mportance, as has been emphasised time and time again by the courts (and recently by the Court of Appeal in Law Society of New South Wales v Bannister (1993) 4 LPDR 24) and must be taken account of, it is necessary to bear in mind that an associate is not a legal practitioner, and depending on the particular level of associateship, may be in a pos…
Purnell v Medical Board of Queensland [1997] QCA 253
Citation 46

…[40] See Law Society of New South Wales v. Bannister (1993) 4 L.P.D.R. 24, 27.…

Cases Cited

0

Statutory Material Cited

0

AI Chat coming soon