Robin John SLIPPER

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

Solicitor Robin John Slipper faced two charges: failing to lodge a Notice of Change of Address for Service in Family Court proceedings (resulting in dismissal of the client's application), found to be unsatisfactory professional conduct; and failing to respond to a s 269(3) notice from the Legal Services Commissioner, found to be professional misconduct. Neither charge nor characterisation was disputed. No dishonesty. The Tribunal publicly reprimanded him, imposed a $2,000 penalty, ordered compensation to the client ($1,300 wasted fees, $200 expenses, and conditionally $400), and $2,000 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Personal probity and fitness to practise
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Client's application dismissed and legal costs wasted as a result of the failure
• Persistent delay in responding despite multiple requests and an extension of time

Mitigating factors:

• Isolated incidents
• Respondent was effectively an inexperienced junior lawyer at the time
• Ambiguous role of counsel contributed to the failure
• No allegation of dishonesty
• Respondent expressed contrition and offered an apology
• Received no financial reward from the client
• Indicated early he would not contest the application
• Personal circumstances including serious family illnesses and reduced staff