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discipline 30 September 2026

The duty in context

Not misrepresent regulated status profession

The lawyer must not hold out an unregulated business or person as regulated, and must take reasonable steps to prevent clients wrongly believing a third party is regulated.

272 cases 59% strike-off avg suspension 15.1 mo avg fine 51,577 119 with dishonesty finding

How the codes express this duty

E&W Solicitors SRA Principles & Code CCS 8.10; CCS 5.4 strong 184 cases
8.10 You ensure that clients understand whether and how the services you provide are regulated. This includes: ... (c) ensuring that you do not represent any business or employer which is not authorised by the SRA, including any separate business, as being regulated by the SRA.
E&W Barristers BSB Handbook rC83; rC84; rC19.4 strong 5 cases
rC83 If you refer a client to a third party which is not a BSB authorised person or an authorised (non-BSB) person, you must take reasonable steps to ensure that the client is not wrongly led to believe that the third party is subject to regulation by the Bar Standards Board or by another approved regulator. rC84 You must not have a material commercial interest in any organisation which gives the impression of being, or may be reasonably perceived as being, subject to the regulation of the Bar Standards Board ... where it is not so regulated.
Cayman Islands Legal Services Code 2026 no clear equivalent
AU Solicitors Solicitors' Conduct Rules Rule 39.1 partial 21 cases
the solicitor, or law practice... must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the client is clearly informed about the nature and the terms of the services being provided to the client by the solicitor or law practice, including (if applicable) that the services provided by the other entity are not provided by solicitor or the law practice as legal services.
AU Barristers Uniform Barristers Rules no clear equivalent
IE Solicitors Law Society Guide Ch9 — The solicitor as agent for an institution partial 18 cases
If a solicitor holds an agency for an institution, the office of the solicitor should be clearly seen to be the office of a solicitor and not a branch of the organisation from whom the solicitor holds the agency.
IE Barristers Bar Code of Conduct Rule 2.10 partial 18 cases
Barristers shall not abuse the title Barrister-at-Law or where applicable Senior Counsel, but this rule shall not prohibit the disclosure of their professional qualification by Barristers in a manner consistent with the Code and any instrument made under the Code.
JM Attorneys Canons of Professional Ethics Canon II(a) partial 6 cases
An Attorney shall not hold out any person (not qualified to practise as a lawyer) as a partner, associate consultant or Attorney.
JE Lawyers Law Society of Jersey Code no clear equivalent
ON Lawyers LSO Rules of Prof. Conduct r 4.2-1.1; r 6.1-1 commentary [5.1] strong
4.2-1.1 A lawyer marketing legal services shall specifically identify in all marketing materials that they are licensed as a lawyer. [6.1-1 cmt 5.1: A lawyer should ensure that the non-lawyer is identified as such when communicating orally or in writing with clients, licensees, public officials, or with the public generally.]
BC Lawyers BC Code r 4.2-8 strong 10 cases
A lawyer must not list a person not entitled to practise law in British Columbia on any letterhead or in any other marketing activity without making it clear in the marketing activity that the person is not entitled to practise law in British Columbia.
NZ Lawyers Conduct & Client Care Rules r 2.11 / r 14.13 partial
If a lawyer learns that a person is committing an offence by— ... (c) providing legal services in breach of any of sections 21, 22, or 23 of the Act (which relate to persons, not being lawyers, engaging in misleading conduct regarding their right or qualifications to practise law)— the lawyer must immediately report the matter to the Law Society ...
SCO Solicitors LSS Standards of Conduct no clear equivalent
SG Lawyers Professional Conduct Rules 2015 r 33 (Descriptions) partial 2 cases
33 Descriptions
HK Solicitors Solicitors' Guide Principle 13.04 partial
No solicitor shall wilfully and knowingly: (a) act as agent in any action or in any matter in bankruptcy for any unqualified person; or (b) permit his name to be made use of in any such action or matter upon the account or for the profit of any unqualified person; or ... (d) do any other act enabling any unqualified person to appear, act or practise in any respect as a solicitor.
HK Barristers Bar Code of Conduct no clear equivalent

Cases dealing with this duty

Clear

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

  • Christopher Kenneth Scroggs
    SDT solicitor 12362/2022 2023-01-12 found breached

    Breaches, Failures

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Simon Pak Hei Lin
    LSBC lawyer 2022-11-24 found breached

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement 1 PDF View decision
  • Gail Enright
    LSI solicitor Michael Enright & Company Solicitors 28 South Mall, Cork 2022-11-21 found breached

    In the matter of Gail Enright, a solicitor formerly practising in Michael Enright & Co, Solicitors, 28 South Mall, Cork, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2015 [2018/DT85 and High Court record 2022/198SA] La…

  • Richard Charles Boyd
    SDT solicitor 12338/2022 2022-11-07 found breached

    Breaches, Failures

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Terepo, Sesilia Fehoko
    OLSC solicitor LMJ Lawyers [2022] NSWCA 210 2022-10-25 found breached

    Misappropriated the sum of $850 withdrawn in cash on 9 December 2014 (Cash Withdrawal) from the trust account of her former law practice LMJ Lawyers (Law Practice); Caused a deficiency in the trust account of her Law Pr…

    1. Not be permitted to apply for a new practising certificate unless the following condition is satisfied: (a) Must, at her own expense, undertake, complete and pass (achieving a pass mark of not less than 70% or equivalent as approved by the Director, Legal Regulation of the Law Society (Director) acting reasonably) the Ethics component of the Practical Legal Training course conducted by the College of Law and the Trust Account component of the Practice Management course conducted by the Law Society of NSW (or such other course(s) as may be approved by the Director acting reasonably). (b) Is to provide to the Director the original result notification from the provider/s of those courses. $0.00 Proceedings Instituted 1 PDF View decision
  • Jayesh Sasdev
    SDT solicitor 12270/2021 2022-10-05 found breached

    Breaches, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Chia Chwee Imm Helen Mrs Helen Thomas
    SG-DT lawyer 2022-08-02 rule cited
    Struck off the roll with effect from 15 August 2022 1 PDF View decision
  • Michael McKeown
    SSDT solicitor Michael McKeown, of Callahan McKeown & Co. Ltd., 54 Hairst Street, Renfrew; 2022-07-26 found breached
    reprimand No Appeal 1 PDF View decision
  • Ian Gordon Davidson
    SSDT solicitor Ian Gordon Davidson, 45 Clovis Duveau Drive, Dundee 2022-06-24 found breached
    strike_off No Appeal 2 PDFs View decision
  • Mohammud Massood Joomratty
    LSBC lawyer 2022-06-16 found breached

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement View decision
  • Minesh Ruparelia
    SDT solicitor 12302/2022 2022-06-16 found breached
    Restoration to the Roll - Refused 1 PDF View decision
  • Earl A. Ferguson
    GLC attorney 136 of 2019 2022-01-26 found breached

    Reprimanded, Fined, Training Ordered | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered January 26, 2022. || Guilty of Professional Misconduct | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered March 31, 2021. View PDF DECISION OF TH…

    Reprimanded, Fined, Training Ordered 1 PDF View decision
  • Ann Houlihan
    LSI solicitor Ann Houlihan Solicitors, Alexandra House, The Sweepstakes, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 2021-12-13 found breached

    In the matter of Ann Houlihan, a solicitor previously practising as Ann Houlihan Solicitors at Alexandra House, The Sweepstakes, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2015 [2020/DT05 and H…

    strike_off View decision
  • Douglas Lamond
    SSDT solicitor Douglas Lamond, Windyridge, 21 Brompton Terrace, Perth 2021-11-17 found breached
    fine No Appeal 1 PDF View decision
  • Stephen McGuire
    SSDT solicitor Stephen McGuire, Hennessey Bowie & Co., 2 Kenmure Lane, Bishopbriggs 2021-10-28 found breached
    fine No Appeal 1 PDF View decision
  • Alan Niall Macpherson Mickel
    SSDT solicitor Alan Niall Macpherson Mickel, residing at Flat 2/1, 13 Partickhill Road, Hyndland, Glasgow 2021-10-26 found breached
    conditions Appeal Concluded 1 PDF View decision
  • Youssef, Nidah
    OLSC solicitor NY Lawyers Pty Ltd 2021-08-19 found breached

    From 3 July 2018 to 3 September 2018 the respondent solicitor engaged in legal practice in New South Wales without holding a practising certificate. The respondent solicitor attempted to mislead the Law Society of New S…

    Reprimand $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
  • Keith A. Jarrett
    GLC attorney 182 of 2017 2021-07-28 found breached

    Struck off | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered July 28, 2021. View PDF FORMAL ORDER OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL LEGAL COUNCIL COMPLAINT NO: 182/2017 IN THE MATTER OF NOVAR PATRICK MCDONALD (THE …

    Struck off 1 PDF View decision
  • Kenneth John Baillie Stewart Macleod
    SSDT solicitor Kenneth John Baillie Stewart MacLeod, MacLeods WS, 13 Lombard Street, Inverness 2021-07-01 found breached
    strike_off No Appeal 2 PDFs View decision
  • Valorie Frances Hemminger Long
    LSBC lawyer 2021-06-01 found breached

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement 1 PDF View decision
  • Zhang, Shijing
    OLSC solicitor Zhang Shijing Lawyers 2021-04-29 found breached

    Breached section 34 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law by failing to ensure an employed solicitor complied with her obligations under the Uniform Law Breached rule 37 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Soli…

    Fine Reprimand $12,000.00 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
  • Paul Anthony Garrett
    SSDT solicitor Paul Anthony Garrett, 12 Tweedsmuir Crescent, Bearsden, Glasgow 2021-02-23 found breached
    strike_off No Appeal 1 PDF View decision
  • Sam Themis
    SDT solicitor 12212/2021 2021-01-01 found breached

    Breaches, Client Money, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Rupinder Kainth
    SDT solicitor 12170/2021 2021-01-01 found breached

    Breaches, Failures

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Maxine Barnes
    SDT solicitor 12165/2021 2021-01-01 found breached

    Breaches, Client Money, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules

    Strike off 1 PDF 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.