Matthew Laba: Sydney man to enter plea after allegedly engaged in legal practice without licence

A man accused of impersonating a lawyer in courtrooms across Sydney – representing four people in separate criminal proceedings – is likely to not defend the allegations, a court has heard.

Matthew Laba. Photo: LinkedIn

A man accused of impersonating a lawyer in courtrooms across Sydney – representing four people in separate criminal proceedings – is likely to not defend the allegations, a court has heard.

Matthew Laba, 28, did not front Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday after he was charged with four counts of entity engage in legal practice when not qualified entity and two counts of unqualified entity advertise can engage in legal practice.

In scenes reminiscent of the hit American television drama Suits, Laba was accused of not being licensed to practice law in the midst of a court hearing for Bondi cafe owner and influencer Lucas Azzopardi. The matter later withdrawn and dismissed in July and there is no suggestion Azzopardi knew Laba was allegedly unlicensed.

The court heard the criminal charges against Laba were highly likely to be resolved following discussions between Laba’s legal team and a representative of The Law Society of NSW, which is prosecuting the charges, ultimately leading to the magistrate adjourning the proceedings.

Laba’s lawyer told the court representations had been made to the prosecutor and further medical material had been provided.

Matthew Laba leaving Sutherland Local Court with Michelle Manousis. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Matthew Laba speaking outside Sutherland Local Court. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

The Law Society of NSW previously confirmed Laba did “not hold a current NSW practising certificate granted by the Law Society Council”.

Court documents previously revealed he has allegedly “never been admitted to the Australian legal profession in NSW or in any other jurisdiction” and at the time of his alleged offending he “was not an ‘Australian lawyer’ an ‘Australian legal practitioner’ or a ‘qualified entity”.

Laba’s alleged offending took place on four different occasions at differing courts across Sydney, including Liverpool, Sutherland, and Downing Centre.

On each occasion, documents reveal he allegedly did not seek leave to appear before the court.

The matter was reluctantly adjourned to November 6 by Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson, who noted the previous magistrate had indicated a plea would be entered on Tuesday.

Ms Atkinson said because the matter “may not need a hearing” she was prepared to accept the adjournment, which wasn’t opposed by the prosecutor.