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discipline 30 September 2026

The duty in context

Honesty integrity

The lawyer must act with honesty at all times in professional and business dealings and must not engage in fraudulent or deceitful conduct.

2,273 cases 67% strike-off avg suspension 18.0 mo avg fine 6,458 284 with dishonesty finding

How the codes express this duty

E&W Solicitors SRA Principles & Code Principle 4 strong 1,627 cases
You act: 1.4 with honesty.
E&W Barristers BSB Handbook CD3; rC9.1; rC8 strong 109 cases
CD3 You must act with honesty, and with integrity. rC9 Your duty to act with honesty and with integrity under CD3 includes the following requirements: .1 you must not knowingly or recklessly mislead or attempt to mislead anyone;
Cayman Islands Legal Services Code 2026 P.3; R.3.1; R.3.2 strong
Attorneys-at-law shall, at all times, act with honesty and integrity... 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 Rule 4.1.2 strong 215 cases
A solicitor must also:... 4.1.2 be honest and courteous in all dealings in the course of legal practice.
AU Barristers Uniform Barristers Rules rr12(a),5(c) strong 72 cases
A barrister must not engage in conduct which is: (a) dishonest or otherwise discreditable to a barrister. ... barristers as specialist advocates in the administration of justice, must act honestly, fairly, skilfully and with competence and diligence.
IE Solicitors Law Society Guide Ch1 — Core values: Honesty; Ch6 — Professional standard of conduct strong 24 cases
This requires solicitors to be honest and forthright in all professional and business relationships... 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 and as an officer of the court.
IE Barristers Bar Code of Conduct Rule 2.3(b) strong 24 cases
It is the duty of Barristers: ... (b) to act at all times with honesty and integrity;
JM Attorneys Canons of Professional Ethics Canon V(o); Canon I(b); Canon IV strong 157 cases
(o) An Attorney shall not knowingly make a false statement of law or fact. ... [I(b)] An Attorney shall at all times maintain the honour and dignity of the profession ... [IV] AN ATTORNEY SHALL ACT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HIS CLIENT AND REPRESENT HIM HONESTLY, COMPETENTLY AND ZEALOUSLY WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE LAW.
JE Lawyers Law Society of Jersey Code P.3; R.4.2 a) strong
Members must, at all times, act with honesty and integrity... 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 2.1-1 strong
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.
BC Lawyers BC Code r 2.2-1 strong 31 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 / r 2.4 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. ... A lawyer must not advise a client to engage in conduct that the lawyer knows to be fraudulent or criminal, nor assist any person in an activity that the lawyer knows is fraudulent or criminal.
SCO Solicitors LSS Standards of Conduct B1.2 strong 53 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 5 (Honesty, competence and diligence) strong 37 cases
5 Honesty, competence and diligence
HK Solicitors Solicitors' Guide Principle 13.01 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, nor must he use his position as a solicitor to take unfair advantage either for himself or another person.
HK Barristers Bar Code of Conduct para 4.1(b)(i) strong
not to engage in conduct (whether in pursuit of his profession or otherwise) which is:- (i) dishonest or otherwise discreditable to a barrister;

Cases dealing with this duty

Clear

2,273 decisions · link basis: found breached = a tribunal finding; rule cited = the mapped provision is cited in the decision; text match = high-precision text pattern

  • Buckley, Nathan Andrew
    OLSC solicitor G & B Lawyers [2025] NSWCATOD 98 2025-07-29 text match

    Proceedings no. 2023/00140580 (Social Media Application) 1. Made public statements encouraging residents To breach laws by providing false information to the ASIC for the purpose of avoiding the effect of applicable pub…

    Costs Order recommending removal of lawyer's name from the Supreme Court Roll $0.00 Proceedings Instituted 1 PDF View decision
  • William Joseph Harris
    SDT solicitor 12738/2025 2025-07-25 rule cited

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

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Rory Peter Heddle Fordyce
    SDT solicitor 12560/2024 2025-07-25 text match

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct 2011, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Daniel James Skinner
    SDT solicitor 12636/2024 2025-07-25 found breached rule cited

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

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Matthew Stephen Becker
    SDT solicitor 12692/2024 2025-07-25 text match

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct 2011, Dishonesty, Lack of Integrity, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, SRA Principles 2011

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Alejandro Emilio Verdu Haro
    SDT solicitor 12705/2024 2025-07-25 rule cited

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

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • (unnamed)
    SDT solicitor 12723/2025 2025-07-25 text match
    Restoration to the Roll - Refused 1 PDF View decision
  • Sideris, George
    OLSC solicitor George Sideris & Associates Lawyers [2025] NSWCA 159 2025-07-18 rule cited

    In the course of legal practice the solicitor: sent correspondence directly to the client of another solicitor, in breach of rule 33 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules 2015 (NSW) (C…

    Costs Removal of lawyer’s name from the Roll of Australian lawyers Not a fit and proper person to remain on the Roll of Australian lawyers maintained by the Supreme Court of New South Wales, pursuant to s 22 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) $0.00 Proceedings Instituted 1 PDF View decision
  • James Boyle
    BTAS barrister Middle Temple 2025-07-15 rule cited
    strike_off open to appeal 1 PDF View decision
  • Charles Michael Stevens
    SDT solicitor 12691/2024 2025-07-03 rule cited

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

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Robert Lloyd Dick
    LSBC lawyer 2025-07-02 text match

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement 1 PDF View decision
  • Maisha Shamilla Wilson-Campbell
    GLC attorney 2 of 2023 2025-07-01 text match

    Suspended | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered July 01, 2025 || Guilty of Professional Misconduct | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered May 28, 2025. View PDF FORMAL ORDER OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OF T…

    Suspended 1 PDF View decision
  • Ano Maggielin Miller Sewell
    GLC attorney 117 of 2024 2025-06-27 rule cited

    Struck off, Restitution Ordered | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered June 27, 2025. || Guilty | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered May 31, 2025. View PDF SANCTION DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OF …

    Struck off, Restitution Ordered 2 PDFs View decision
  • Lahoud, Rita
    OLSC barrister [2025] NSWCATOD 79 2025-06-25 found breached text match

    Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct: Ground 1: Breached Rule 8(c) of the Legal Profession Uniform Conduct (Barristers) Rules 2015 - engaged in conduct which is likely to diminish public confidence in the legal professio…

    Costs Under s 302(1)(j) of the Legal Profession Uniform Law 2015 (NSW) the Respondent is not to apply for an Australian practising certificate for a period of 18 months from the date of this decision $0.00 Proceedings Instituted 1 PDF View decision
  • Fasar Mahmood
    SDT solicitor 12687/2024 2025-06-19 found breached rule cited

    Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, Lack of Integrity, Misappropriation of Client Account, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Sarah Elizabeth Reynolds
    SDT solicitor 12509/2023 2025-06-19 rule cited

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

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • (unnamed)
    SDT solicitor 12595/2024 2025-06-19 text match

    Appeals

    S.44E/ S.46/Paragraph 14C Appeals 1 PDF View decision
  • Becky Agates
    BTAS barrister Middle Temple 2025-06-13 rule cited
    suspension Convened 2 PDFs View decision
  • Douglas John Winning
    LSC-QLD solicitor Winning Lawyers 2025-06-13 rule cited

    Charges 1 and 2, there is a finding of professional misconduct.

    Struck off 1 PDF View decision
  • Stephen Richard Picken
    LSC-QLD solicitor Stephen R Picken Solicitor 2025-06-12 text match

    Conduct can be characterised as professional misconduct

    Struck off 1 PDF View decision
  • Jonathan Edwards
    BTAS barrister Lincoln's Inn 2025-06-12 rule cited
    suspension Convened 2 PDFs View decision
  • Reid, Benjamin Paul
    OLSC solicitor Reid & Vesely 2025-06-12 found breached text match

    The Solicitor failed to obey the Legal Profession Uniform Law; The Solicitor’s conduct was dishonourable and contrary to the duty of legal practitioners to be honest and to have the utmost good faith in all dealings in …

    Cancellation of Practising Certificate for the year ending 30 June 2025 pursuant to section 82(1)(d) of the Legal Profession 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
  • Heather Roberts
    SDT solicitor 12617/2024 2025-05-30 found breached rule cited

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

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • Belinda Owusuah Sarkodie
    SDT solicitor 12614/2024 2025-05-30 found breached 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
  • Benedicte Mabika
    BTAS barrister Inner Temple 2025-05-29 rule cited
    reprimand open to appeal 2 PDFs 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.