Patterns across the corpus

Conduct. Consequence. Context.

Cross-jurisdiction patterns from 3,866 machine-extracted decision findings (1,662 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 breached	Cases	Avg suspension (mo)	Avg fine	Dishonesty
No improper use of client money	1,448	21.4	50,037	794
No conflict between current clients	1,277	17.6	138,302	623
Uphold public trust in the profession	919	14.9	144,573	422
Accounting records, reconciliation and reports	675	23.6	27,739	318
No improper communication with the court	591	22.3	23,440	196
No baseless or threatened misconduct report	512	11.5	57,181	193
Prompt accounting and return of money	512	28.6	30,508	234
No taking unfair advantage	459	11.4	52,119	273
Proper basis for allegations	455	28.2	52,536	315
Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank	443	18.5	30,488	280
Integrity	410	14.1	29,379	286
Handle inadvertently received material	384	17.5	52,909	172
Not mislead third parties or opponents	350	27.0	8,773	205
Honesty	332	18.0	6,458	284
Good faith and courtesy to colleagues	319	11.2	151,231	161
Honour professional undertakings	299	13.1	77,603	105
No improper solicitation or touting	274	21.5	24,023	144
Act in the client's best interests	273	20.8	28,615	183
Not misrepresent regulated status	265	15.1	51,577	119
Not mislead the court	232	14.7	55,578	121
Report serious misconduct of others	229	18.6	57,834	86
Hold a current practising certificate	191	21.7	26,727	65
Diligence and timeliness	169	32.9	17,500	81
Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome	137	42.2	13,700	52
Cooperate openly with regulators	134	14.5	8,048	89
Complaints procedure and handling	129	25.5	151,231	19
Keep client informed and respond promptly	117	6.0	104,094	37
Self-report to the regulator	101	37.1	22,113	43
Professional indemnity insurance	95	19.5	2,778	42
Firm governance, systems and compliance	89	19.5	60,522	49

Strike-off rate by duty & jurisdiction

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

Jurisdiction	Duty	Cases	Strike-off %
EW	Honesty	1,736	76.0%
EW	Uphold public trust in the profession	1,143	74.5%
EW	No improper use of client money	1,014	76.3%
EW	Personal probity and fitness to practise	959	72.8%
EW	No conflict between current clients	870	73.8%
EW	No bribery or improper gifts	856	75.4%
EW	Integrity	846	74.8%
EW	No unlawful discrimination or harassment	754	76.1%
EW	Accounting records, reconciliation and reports	648	73.3%
EW	Act in the client's best interests	566	74.0%
EW	Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank	423	78.0%
EW	Prompt accounting and return of money	392	74.2%
EW	Advise objectively, not a mere conduit	367	71.1%
EW	Proper basis for allegations	361	70.6%
EW	No taking unfair advantage	357	76.5%
EW	Not mislead third parties or opponents	324	79.6%
EW	No improper communication with the court	315	73.3%
EW	Hold a current practising certificate	287	77.4%
EW	Overriding duty to the court	282	79.1%
EW	Not mislead the court	263	69.6%
EW	Serve justice and improve the law	255	79.6%
EW	No improper solicitation or touting	249	73.5%
EW	Cooperate openly with regulators	237	74.3%
EW	Handle inadvertently received material	234	72.6%
EW	Honour professional undertakings	225	67.1%

Where dishonesty was found — the outcome

Jurisdiction	Sanction	Cases
EW	Strike Off	1,176
EW	Other	104
SCO	Strike Off	40
AU-WA	Strike Off	40
JM	Strike Off	40
AU-QLD	Strike Off	39
SG	Strike Off	32
EW	Suspension	26
EW	Conditions	20
IE	Strike Off	16
EW	Restoration Refused	15
CA-BC	Other	14
AU-NSW	Strike Off	12
AU-NSW	Other	11
AU-WA	Suspension	10
AU-QLD	Reprimand	8
JM	Other	7
JM	Suspension	5
AU-QLD	Fine	5
JM	No Order	4