Shaune Kerry Irving

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Legal Services Commissioner brought two disciplinary applications against Shaune Kerry Irving arising from his guilty pleas to numerous criminal offences including making false declarations, supplying cocaine, fraud, money laundering, perjury and attempting to pervert justice. The Tribunal found professional misconduct on six charges and unsatisfactory professional conduct on one (failure to make costs disclosure). An express finding of dishonesty applied to the fraud charge. Finding him permanently unfit to practise, the Tribunal recommended removal of his name from the local roll and ordered he pay the applicant's costs on the standard basis. Substantial mitigating evidence of PTSD from military service and rehabilitation was noted, but he did not seek to argue current fitness.

Duties found breached:

• Cease acting on client perjury or disobedience
• No improper use of client money
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• AML and crime-prevention compliance

Aggravating factors:

• Multiple serious offences committed over a protracted period
• Conduct struck at the heart of the administration of justice
• Damage to the reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Guilty pleas in the criminal proceedings
• Full cooperation with the Commission's investigation and the proceeding
• Timely surrender of practising certificate
• Significant history of mental illness including chronic severe PTSD from military service
• Meritorious military service in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor
• Undiagnosed/untreated psychological condition at time of offending
• Excellent prospects of rehabilitation and ongoing psychiatric treatment