From Roll
M10/02
In the matter of the Law Practitioners Act 1982
Pursuant to section 119 of the Law Practitioners Act 1982, notice is hereby given that on 3 December 2001, the
New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal ordered as follows:
1. That the name of James Anthony Firth be struck off the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand.
2. That, pursuant to section 112 (2) (e) of the Law Practitioners Act 1982, in respect of the 3 admitted and proven charges first above referred to the practitioner is censured.
3. That, pursuant to sections 112 (2) (f) and 106 (4) (f), the practitioner reduce his fees for the work done by him for both the individual client and the trust
client named in the decision of the Tribunal dated
5 November 2001 and 3 December 2001 by the
sum of $32.000.00 and, for the purpose of giving effect to that order, that the practitioner refund the sum of $17,000.00 to the first individual client and
the sum of $15,000.00 to the latter trust client.
4. That, pursuant to sections 112 (2) (f) and 106 (4) (e), the practitioner pay by way of compensation to the client trust named in the decision of the Tribunal dated 5 November 2001 and 3 December 2001 the sum of $5000.00.
5. That the practitioner pay to New Zealand Law Society towards the costs of the inquiry the sum of $15,428.00 inclusive of G.S.T.
6. That the practitioner pay to the Complaints Committee of the Canterbury District Law Society towards the costs of inquiry and investigation $39,602.25 inclusive of G.S.T.
7. That the interim suppression order with respect to the practitioner ceases.
Dated at Wellington this 18th day of January 2002.
R. B. W. GILL, Registrar.