Karen Louisa KING

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

In this QCAT liability decision, the Legal Services Commissioner brought seven charges against solicitor Karen Louisa King. Charge 5 was dismissed by consent; charges 3 and 4 were not proved; charges 1, 2, 6 and 7 were proved. The Tribunal (Fryberg J, with panel members) found that King dishonoured an authorised undertaking to counsel Mr Clark (charge 7), unlawfully withdrew $87,000 from her trust account before any bill was sent to client Ms Martin, in breach of s 249 (charge 1), failed to provide an itemised bill within 28 days (charge 2), and failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a s 443(3) notice (charge 6). The Tribunal made express findings that King invented evidence about payments, that a purported 2 July 2008 letter to the Commissioner was 'a concoction' and that her third affidavit contained 'a fabrication' (co-worker Ms Beilby's conduct in backdating invoices was also expressly found dishonest). No characterisation as unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct and no sanction were determined; the parties were directed to make further submissions on characterisation and disciplinary orders.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Diligence and timeliness
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• Honour professional undertakings