Complaints against Tasmanian lawyers, especially older male practitioners, skyrockets to all-time high

New figures reveal Tasmanian lawyers are copping more complaints about their conduct than ever before. Find out what the key gripes are from their clients.

• More than 100 complaints against lawyers in 2018-19
• Lawyer says police misconduct tribunal urgently needed in Tasmania

COMPLAINTS lodged against Tasmanian lawyers by fed-up clients have now officially reached an all-time high – with the bulk of grievances directed toward older male barristers and solicitors.

The Legal Profession Board of Tasmania has revealed it received 131 complaints against lawyers during 2019-20 – the highest number since the board’s inception in 2009.

The complaints centred around overcharging – also called “bill shock” – conflicts of interest, lawyers that abused, threatened or were rude to clients, breaching of rules or court orders, delays, failing to comply with instructions, negligence and poor handling of cases, failure to communicate, and dishonesty.

The board, in its annual report released this week, said 65 per cent of complaints were levelled against male lawyers.

At least 66 of the grievances concerned lawyers admitted to practice prior to the year 2000, with 82 per cent of those male.

The board said last financial year it appointed investigators to formally examine 38 complaints of the total 131 complaints, with 12 lawyers referred to a board hearing, the lawyers’ Disciplinary Tribunal or the Supreme Court.

Out of those, 101 complaints were dismissed or withdrawn, while five lawyers were found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct – and three of those cautioned, fined or forced to make an apology.

The board also said it “chided” – or informally warned – lawyers on six occasions where complaints had been dismissed or withdrawn.

Two complaints alleged a person had unlawfully posed as a lawyer – an imprisonable offence – but the board said it had insufficient information to refer the claims for investigation.

The total number of complaints the board received over the past financial year represents a 16 per cent increase from 2018-19, when it received 113.

It also represents an upward trend since 2017-18, when the board received 120 complaints – a huge jump from the 77 in 2016-17 and 50 during 2015-16.

Family law was the area of practice with the most complaints, followed by probate, criminal law, conveyancing, commercial law, wills and workers’ compensation.

The board also said it resolved 20 per cent of concerns via mediation.

Legal Profession Board of Tasmania CEO Frank Ederle said it was unclear why there had been a surge in complaint numbers.

He also said that in the past financial year, the board had begun a training and awareness project about sexual harassment within the legal profession.

Follow @ambervwilson

Originally published as Complaints against Tasmanian lawyers, especially older male practitioners, skyrockets to all-time high