DANIEL CANUTE LYLE BULL

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

Daniel Bull, a WA legal practitioner, was charged in NSW with possessing 1.05 grams of cocaine while in Sydney pursuing a music career; he was not practising law at the time. He pleaded guilty and was discharged without conviction on a good behaviour bond. In WA disciplinary proceedings he did not contest a finding of unsatisfactory conduct by illegal conduct. Although the Tribunal held the usual consequence for drug possession is at least suspension, the particular circumstances (exemplary background, honesty/co-operation, offence unrelated to practice, effective voluntary suspension, rehabilitation via drug testing, contrition) warranted departure. The Tribunal reprimanded him, fined him $8000, and ordered costs of $3500. No express finding of dishonesty was made; the Committee noted the offence did not involve apparent dishonesty.

Duties found breached:

• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Element of premeditation - practitioner purchased the cocaine for $300
• Intention to use the drug

Mitigating factors:

• Exemplary personal and professional background, no prior disciplinary or criminal record
• Honesty and full co-operation with authorities after detection
• Offence unrelated to the practice of law and no impact on professional duties
• Effective four to five month voluntary suspension from practice
• Voluntary six-month drug testing regime with no further drug use and low likelihood of reoffending
• Genuine contrition and remorse
• Guilty plea at first available opportunity, discharged without conviction on good behaviour bond
• No motive for personal enrichment