Manjit Singh Walia

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

During a virtual Refugee Protection Division hearing on September 8, 2023, immigration lawyer Manjit Singh Walia wrote a response on a Post-it note and displayed it to his client under questioning, amounting to coaching. The Immigration and Refugee Board complained. The Lawyer admitted this constituted professional misconduct (failing to act honourably and with integrity, contrary to rule 2.2-1). Under a Rule 3-7.1 consent agreement approved December 19, 2024, he agreed to pay a fine of $7,500. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Prior Professional Conduct Record: reprimanded in Alberta for incompetent representation; subject to a Conduct Review in BC in 2017 for breaching an undertaking on a real estate conveyance
• Conduct affected the client's credibility before the tribunal

Mitigating factors:

• Experiencing significant life stressors and lack of sleep
• Felt pressured to obtain a positive outcome for clients
• Admitted misconduct and entered into a consent agreement
• Outcome consistent with prior similar matters