Anthony De Fraine

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

Anthony De Fraine, an Australian lawyer admitted in NSW, failed without reasonable excuse to comply with multiple s 443(3) notices issued by the Legal Services Commissioner in relation to four client complaints. The Tribunal found all four charges proved and each constituting professional misconduct. He did not engage in the investigation or proceedings. As he had abrogated his professional responsibilities and removed himself from regulation, he was found unfit for practice. The Tribunal recommended removal from the NSW roll and ordered him to pay the Commissioner's costs on the standard basis. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Prior disciplinary history: 2015 professional misconduct finding (reprimand, $500 penalty) and 2024 unsatisfactory professional conduct finding (reprimand, $2,000 fine)
• Failed to respond to numerous statutory notices across four separate complaints
• Did not engage with the LSC investigation or the current proceedings
• Effectively removed himself from regulation, rendering him unfit for practice