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discipline 4 October 2026

Patterns across the corpus

Conduct. Consequence. Context.

Cross-jurisdiction patterns from 3,949 machine-extracted decision findings (1,737 with an express dishonesty finding). Sanction figures are extracted from the decisions and verified verbatim against the source; treat as research signal, not legal advice. Click any duty for its provisions and case list.

How breach of each duty is sanctioned

For decisions found to breach each duty: how many, average suspension & fine, and how often dishonesty was also found.

Duty breachedCasesAvg suspension (mo)Avg fineDishonesty
No improper use of client money 1,544 14.0 62,331 864
No conflict between current clients 1,283 13.6 150,323 627
Uphold public trust in the profession 934 16.2 163,670 431
No improper communication with the court 753 20.0 58,571 272
Accounting records, reconciliation and reports 664 14.9 35,542 317
No baseless or threatened misconduct report 494 15.0 83,213 198
Proper basis for allegations 483 19.2 48,843 343
No taking unfair advantage 462 17.1 203,447 270
Prompt accounting and return of money 460 18.2 104,035 219
Honesty 394 18.6 9,300 344
Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank 383 14.9 14,249 240
Integrity 377 16.3 29,235 265
Not mislead third parties or opponents 373 16.0 10,393 217
Handle inadvertently received material 368 16.7 57,815 163
Report serious misconduct of others 350 19.9 72,965 144
Act in the client's best interests 310 20.3 37,606 195
Good faith and courtesy to colleagues 307 12.3 240,367 171
Honour professional undertakings 292 12.0 80,773 100
Not misrepresent regulated status 253 12.8 51,395 111
No improper solicitation or touting 223 23.3 17,641 117
Not mislead the court 217 14.7 58,556 117
Hold a current practising certificate 187 19.4 23,700 64
Diligence and timeliness 157 19.8 19,675 70
Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome 153 34.5 7,500 59
Keep client informed and respond promptly 137 42.0 96,516 45
Complaints procedure and handling 136 33.8 104,019 23
Self-report to the regulator 127 20.3 99,945 64
Cooperate openly with regulators 122 16.6 9,429 86
Firm governance, systems and compliance 96 20.3 44,819 56
Disclose material information to client 94 18.3 6,071 53

Strike-off rate by duty & jurisdiction

Of cases engaging a duty (≥5 in that jurisdiction), the share resulting in strike-off / removal.

JurisdictionDutyCasesStrike-off %
EW Honesty 1,788 75.3%
EW Uphold public trust in the profession 1,211 72.6%
EW No improper use of client money 1,068 75.5%
EW Personal probity and fitness to practise 1,034 71.0%
EW No bribery or improper gifts 901 74.5%
EW Integrity 889 73.2%
EW No conflict between current clients 856 74.6%
EW No unlawful discrimination or harassment 776 75.5%
EW Accounting records, reconciliation and reports 655 73.1%
EW Act in the client's best interests 605 72.9%
EW No improper communication with the court 432 70.1%
EW Advise objectively, not a mere conduit 386 69.4%
EW Proper basis for allegations 385 74.3%
EW Prompt accounting and return of money 375 74.4%
EW No taking unfair advantage 357 75.1%
EW Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank 357 77.3%
EW Not mislead third parties or opponents 355 78.3%
EW Overriding duty to the court 308 76.3%
EW Hold a current practising certificate 296 77.7%
EW Serve justice and improve the law 273 77.7%
EW Not mislead the court 270 68.9%
EW Cooperate openly with regulators 247 72.5%
EW Handle inadvertently received material 230 69.1%
EW Professional independence 227 67.4%
EW Report serious misconduct of others 222 67.1%

Where dishonesty was found — the outcome

JurisdictionSanctionCases
EWStrike Off1,218
EWOther124
JMStrike Off47
SCOStrike Off47
AU-QLDStrike Off40
AU-WAStrike Off38
SGStrike Off35
EWSuspension30
IEStrike Off17
CA-BCOther14
AU-NSWOther14
JMOther13
AU-NSWStrike Off12
EWRestoration Refused9
AU-WASuspension9
AU-QLDReprimand7
JMSuspension7
AU-WAOther5
EWFine5
JMFine4