A New Zealand tribunal has bollocked a lawyer for acting for clients in a matter in which he had a personal interest.
Lawyer Johannes Franciscus Van Noort was instructed by clients to deal with a lease agreement for their small farm property. The lawyer worked on the matter despite the fact that he was also about to launch a wine growing enterprise on the land.
The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal found that Van Noort had breached client care rules since his interests were at odds with his clients. The tribunal lambasted Van Noort saying that he was hopelessly conflicted and should have known it. However, it did add that the lawyer was not dishonest and that he had resolved all issues with his former clients.
Van Noort was censured and ordered to pay $20,000 costs to the New Zealand Law Society as well as reimburse hearing costs of $6,743.
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Lawyer Johannes Franciscus Van Noort was instructed by clients to deal with a lease agreement for their small farm property. The lawyer worked on the matter despite the fact that he was also about to launch a wine growing enterprise on the land.
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"Erm, but don't the amendments mean your vineyard will run through my house?" |
The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal found that Van Noort had breached client care rules since his interests were at odds with his clients. The tribunal lambasted Van Noort saying that he was hopelessly conflicted and should have known it. However, it did add that the lawyer was not dishonest and that he had resolved all issues with his former clients.
Van Noort was censured and ordered to pay $20,000 costs to the New Zealand Law Society as well as reimburse hearing costs of $6,743.