Legal Practitioners Conduct Board v Hay

The Full Court of the Supreme Court of South Australia considered an application by the Legal Practitioners Conduct Board to strike off the name of a practitioner from the Roll of Legal Practitioners. The Board alleged that the practitioner had engaged in unprofessional conduct in relation to three clients, failed to respond to 14 requests from the Board, and practised without a current practising certificate. The practitioner admitted to the charges. The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal recommended that disciplinary proceedings be commenced against the practitioner. The practitioner opposed the application. The Court had to determine whether the practitioner's conduct warranted his name being struck off the Roll of Legal Practitioners. The Court found that the practitioner's conduct demonstrated a persistent neglect of his clients' affairs, a disregard for the Board's inquiries and demands, and a deliberate attempt to deceive the Tribunal. The Court held that the practitioner's conduct was of a nature that demonstrated his unfitness to continue to be entrusted with the conduct of the affairs of his clients. The Court ordered that the practitioner's name be struck off the Roll of Legal Practitioners.