Legal Practitioners Complaints Committee and Stevens

The matter before the court involved the Legal Practitioners Complaints Committee (LPCC) and a legal practitioner, Stevens. The dispute centred around an application for Stevens' name to be removed from the Roll of Practitioners in Western Australia, following his removal from the roll of practitioners in New South Wales. The case was heard in the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

The central legal issues the court had to address were whether the removal of Stevens from the roll of practitioners in New South Wales warranted a corresponding removal from the roll in Western Australia and whether the court should transmit a report to the Supreme Court (full bench) under section 204(6) of the Legal Practice Act 2003 (WA).

In its judgment, the court thoroughly examined the relevant legislative framework and case law. It found that the LPCC had appropriately exercised its discretion in recommending that Stevens' name be removed from the roll in Western Australia, given his removal from the roll in New South Wales. The court concluded that the LPCC's recommendation aligned with the principles of legal ethics and the protection of the public interest. Accordingly, the court ordered that Stevens' name be struck off the Roll of Practitioners in Western Australia and directed that a report be transmitted to the Supreme Court (full bench) in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Practice Act 2003 (WA).