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discipline 1 October 2026

The duty in context

Not mislead third parties or opponents integrity

The lawyer must not knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements to opponents, third parties or anyone, and must promptly correct any such statement once aware of it.

463 cases 64% strike-off avg suspension 27.0 mo avg fine 8,773 205 with dishonesty finding

How the codes express this duty

E&W Solicitors SRA Principles & Code CCS 1.4 strong 308 cases
1.4 You do not mislead or attempt to mislead your clients, the court or others, either by your own acts or omissions or allowing or being complicit in the acts or omissions of others (including your client).
E&W Barristers BSB Handbook rC9.1 strong 16 cases
rC9.1 you must not knowingly or recklessly mislead or attempt to mislead anyone;
Cayman Islands Legal Services Code 2026 R.3.2(a) strong
An attorney-at-law's duty to act with honesty and integrity under P.3 includes the requirement that an attorney-at-law shall — (a) not knowingly or recklessly mislead or attempt to mislead anyone
AU Solicitors Solicitors' Conduct Rules Rules 22.1; 22.2 strong 73 cases
22.1 A solicitor must not knowingly make a false or misleading statement to an opponent in relation to the case (including its compromise). 22.2 A solicitor must take all necessary steps to correct any false or misleading statement made by the solicitor to an opponent as soon as possible after the solicitor becomes aware that the statement was false or misleading.
AU Barristers Uniform Barristers Rules rr48-49 strong 22 cases
A barrister must not knowingly make a false statement to an opponent in relation to the case (including its compromise). A barrister must take all necessary steps to correct any false statement in relation to the case made by the barrister to an opponent as soon as possible after the barrister becomes aware that the statement was false.
IE Solicitors Law Society Guide Ch1 — Core values: Integrity; Ch6 — Professional standard of conduct strong 13 cases
A solicitor's word must be their bond; they must not mislead, in any respect, the courts or others by their acts or omissions... A solicitor, whether in their professional capacity or otherwise, must not engage in any conduct that is fraudulent, deceitful, or in any way contrary to their position as a solicitor.
IE Barristers Bar Code of Conduct Rule 5.3(a) strong 13 cases
A Barrister shall not knowingly make, procure or countenance the making of any false or misleading statement of fact, whether express or implied, written or parol, with regard to any matter in which that Barrister is engaged, to any Court, other body or to any other party or any representative thereof.
JM Attorneys Canons of Professional Ethics Canon VI(cc); Canon V(o) partial 7 cases
An Attorney shall not knowingly represent falsely to a Judge, a Court or other tribunal or an official of a Court, or other tribunal, that a particular state of facts exists. ... [V(o)] An Attorney shall not knowingly make a false statement of law or fact.
JE Lawyers Law Society of Jersey Code R.4.2 a) strong
A member's duty to act with honesty and integrity under P.3 includes the following requirements: Members must: a) not knowingly or recklessly mislead or attempt to mislead anyone.
ON Lawyers LSO Rules of Prof. Conduct r 3.2-7(a); r 7.2-1 partial
3.2-7 A lawyer shall not (a) knowingly assist in or encourage any dishonesty, fraud, crime, or illegal conduct. [7.2-1: A lawyer shall be courteous, civil, and act in good faith with all persons with whom the lawyer has dealings in the course of their practice.]
BC Lawyers BC Code r 2.2-1 partial 16 cases
A lawyer has a duty to carry on the practice of law and discharge all responsibilities to clients, tribunals, the public and other members of the profession honourably and with integrity.
NZ Lawyers Conduct & Client Care Rules r 10.9 strong
A lawyer must not engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive anyone on any aspect of the lawyer's practice.
SCO Solicitors LSS Standards of Conduct B1.2 partial 13 cases
You must be trustworthy and act honestly at all times so that your personal integrity is beyond question.
SG Lawyers Professional Conduct Rules 2015 r 8 (Conduct in relation to other persons) partial 10 cases
8 Conduct in relation to other persons
HK Solicitors Solicitors' Guide Principle 13.01 / Principle 13.01 Commentary 4 strong
A solicitor must not act, whether in his professional capacity or otherwise, towards anyone in a way which is fraudulent, deceitful or otherwise contrary to his position as a solicitor ... When giving a reference as to character and financial standing, a solicitor must take care to give one that is true. A solicitor may be guilty of professional misconduct and may incur a potential liability where a false or misleading reference is given.
HK Barristers Bar Code of Conduct para 10.47(a)-(b) strong
A practising barrister must not knowingly make a false or misleading statement to an opponent in relation to the case. A practising barrister must take all necessary steps to correct any false or misleading statement in relation to the case that has been made by him to an opponent as soon as possible after the barrister becomes aware that the statement was false or misleading.

Cases dealing with this duty

Clear

463 decisions · link basis: found breached = a tribunal finding; rule cited = the mapped provision is cited in the decision; text match = high-precision text pattern

  • Rehana Saeed
    SDT solicitor 12597/2024 2026-01-12 found breached text match

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Money Laundering Regulations, SRA Principles 2011

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Shahid Ali
    SDT solicitor 12685/2024 2026-01-06 rule cited

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Tina Theresa Shiebert
    SDT solicitor 12623/2024 2026-01-06 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Not Proved/Dismissed 1 PDF View decision
  • Samina Ahmed
    SDT solicitor 12760/2025 2025-12-24 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Nachiappan, Sorna
    OLSC solicitor 2025-12-18 found breached

    It appears the Lawyer has: Inserted signatures into four (4) costs agreements without authorisation Provided those costs agreements to the Office of the NSW Legal Services Commissioner (NSW Commissioner) in an attempt t…

    Cancellation of Practising Certificate for the practising year ending 30 June 2026 on the ground that the Lawyer is unable to fulfil the inherent requirements of an Australian legal practitioner: s 82(1)(d) of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) (Uniform Law); and Restricted the Lawyer from applying for the grant of a practising certificate for a period of two (2) years: s 94 of the Uniform Law $0.00 About ​ About the OLSC The Commissioner History Mission statement Structure Contact ​ Contact the OLSC Give us your feedback: online surveys Access to information (GIPAA) Community information ​ Information for lawyers Fact sheets FAQs Other regulatory and complaint-handling organisations Contact LawAccess NSW for legal information " You and Your Lawyer", Hot ​​Topics 78 Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC), State Library of NSW​ , provides access to information about the law in NSW regarding your lawyer Privacy Copyright and Disclaimer Website accessibility View decision
  • Gavin Clarke
    SDT solicitor 12730/2025 2025-12-12 rule cited

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Dhanwant Singh
    SG-DT lawyer S K Kumar Law Practice LLP 2025-11-12 found breached rule cited
    Struck off the roll with immediate effect 1 PDF View decision
  • K V Sudeep Kumar
    SG-DT lawyer S K Kumar Law Practice LLP 2025-11-12 rule cited
    Suspended for a period of five (5) years, with effect from the date of discharge of his bankruptcy 1 PDF View decision
  • Maxmillian Alexander Knowles Campbell
    SDT solicitor 12674/2024 2025-11-03 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Dishonesty, Lack of Integrity, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Nachiappan, Sorna
    OLSC solicitor Nachiappan Pty Ltd 2025-10-27 found breached

    It appears the Solicitor has: Inserted signatures into four (4) costs agreements without authorisation; Provided those costs agreements to the Office of the NSW Legal Services Commissioner (NSW Commissioner) in an attem…

    Immediate suspension of Practising Certificate The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (Council) is considering whether to start, continue or complete action under Part 3.5 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) (Uniform Law) and considers it necessary in the public interest to: • Grant the Solicitor’s application for renewal of a practising certificate for the period ending 30 June 2026 • Immediately suspend the practitioner’s practising certificate as Council reasonably believes the Solicitor is unable to fulfil the inherent requirements of an Australian legal practitioner • Restrict the Solicitor from applying for a practising certificate for a period of two (2) years pursuant to s 94 of the Uniform Law $0.00 Specified Duration: Manager appointed for a period of 2 years Manager Appointed: Yes Manager Appointed View decision
  • Nasar Hussain
    SDT solicitor 12688/2024 2025-10-24 rule cited

    Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspended period of Suspension 1 PDF View decision
  • Paul Andrew Smith
    SDT solicitor 12732/2025 2025-10-09 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, Lack of Integrity, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Daniel Jones
    SDT solicitor 12603/2024 2025-10-09 rule cited

    Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Recklessness, SRA Principles 2019

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Kathryn Poole
    SDT solicitor 12635/2024 2025-10-06 rule cited

    Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • David James Chalcraft
    SDT solicitor 12620/2024 2025-10-06 rule cited

    Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Grubisa, Dominique
    OLSC solicitor DGI Lawyers Pty Ltd [2025] NSWCATOD 127 2025-10-01 found breached

    Proceedings no. 2022/00387737 (First Application) 1. Mrs Grubisa was the principal of a law practice which had lay associates who were disqualified persons under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) and who were not a…

    Costs Order recommending removal of lawyer's name from the Roll of Australian Lawyers $0.00 Proceedings Instituted 1 PDF View decision
  • Mumba Chakulya
    SDT solicitor 12670/2024 2025-09-09 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Not Proved/Dismissed 1 PDF View decision
  • Muhammad Nazar Hayat
    SDT solicitor 12621/2024 2025-08-29 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Not Proved/Dismissed 1 PDF View decision
  • Christopher James Fry
    SDT solicitor 12714/2024 2025-08-29 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, Recklessness, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Michael Peter Goodwin
    SDT solicitor 12726/2025 2025-08-29 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • Elizabeth Oruene Ikiriko
    SDT solicitor 12696/2024 2025-08-28 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Recklessness, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • Matthew David McCormick
    LSC-QLD solicitor McCormick's Law 2025-08-26 rule cited

    The Respondent’s conduct identified in Charges 2 and 6 in the discipline application is proved and is found to constitute professional misconduct.

    Struck off 2 PDFs View decision
  • Nigel John Weller
    SDT solicitor 12693/2024 2025-08-22 rule cited

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Reprimand 1 PDF View decision
  • Laura Elizabeth Simpson
    SDT solicitor 12711/2024 2025-08-22 rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Tapfumanei Nyawanza
    SDT solicitor 12713/2024 2025-08-22 found breached rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision

Duty classification does not yet cover every jurisdiction (Ontario, New Zealand and Singapore decisions are indexed but not yet duty-classified), so counts here understate those corpora.