SZE MING LIM

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

Sze Ming Lim admitted six allegations contravening s29A of the Legal Practitioners Act 1893 (WA), including neglect/undue delay in multiple matters, repeatedly misleading clients (fabricating counsel's memoranda and fictitious settlement offers) and illegal conduct in stealing $176,430.01 from a client for whom he held enduring power of attorney. The State Administrative Tribunal found him guilty on all counts, held he was not a fit and proper person to remain in the profession, and concluded that only striking his name from the Roll was appropriate. As it lacked power to strike off directly, it transmitted a report to the Supreme Court (full bench), suspended him from practice pending that determination, and ordered him to pay costs fixed at $9,300.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No improper use of client money
• Diligence and timeliness
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Fundamental breach of fiduciary duty to clients
• Repeated lying and fabrication of documents (fake counsel's advice, fictitious insurer offers)
• Theft of a large sum from a vulnerable client's award of damages
• Multiple clients affected over extended periods
• Conduct described as of the utmost seriousness

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all six allegations and the underlying facts
• Made restitution of $176,430.00 to the stolen client
• Acknowledged through counsel that removal from the Roll was inevitable

⚠ figures not found verbatim in the source were dropped: ["unverified_costs_amount=9300"]