Teal candidate Jacqui Scruby under fire over lawyer claims on campaign trail

An independent Pittwater candidate is under fire over claims she may have “represented an entitlement to engage in legal practice”.

Ms Scruby has repeatedly claimed she is a “lawyer” or “former lawyer” while campaigning for the blue-ribbon state seat in Sydney’s north.

The peak legal body of NSW is considering an alleged complaint into teal candidate for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby, over claims she “may have represented an entitlement to engage in legal practice” despite not holding a current practising certificate.

Ms Scruby has repeatedly claimed she is a “lawyer” or “former lawyer” while campaigning for the blue-ribbon state seat in Sydney’s north.

This includes one of the first lines introducing herself on her website – where she calls herself a “local mum who has been a small-business owner and lawyer”.

In correspondence seen by NewsWire, the Law Society of NSW confirms “an individual with the name Jacqueline Scruby” does not hold a current practising certificate issued by the Council of the Law Society.

In another letter, the Law Society says “they are considering the steps that may be able to be taken in relation to the information.”

The Law Society of NSW is “considering” an alleged complaint over Pittwater teal candidate Jacqui Scruby over claims she ‘may have represented an entitlement to engage in legal practice’. Picture: Supplied

“The Law Society requests that you provide it with all information and documents you may have in your possession, which may provide evidence that Ms Scruby may have represented to you or any other person that she is entitled to engage in legal practice,” the letter continues.

NewsWire understands Ms Scruby was previously admitted as a lawyer and has received legal advice indicating she is not in breach of any provisions.

Under NSW law, a person is not allowed to “represent or advertise” they can engage in legal practice, unless they are an “Australian legal practitioner”.

However, in the same legislation, an Australian lawyer is defined as someone who is “admitted to the legal profession”, as opposed to a legal practitioner – defined as someone who “holds a current local practising certificate”.

Ms Scruby worked for the global law firm DLA Piper between 2005 and 2008 as an environmental and planning lawyer, before moving into climate change policy and eventually as a senior policy adviser for federal teal MP for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps.

It is understood Ms Scruby was previously admitted as a lawyer and has received legal advice indicating she is not in breach of any legal provisions. Picture: Supplied

Ms Scruby has hit back at the claims, calling it a “desperate and baseless point” and a diversion from “the real misrepresentation happening in this by-election – that my Liberal opponent says she’s local but doesn’t live in the electorate.”

The Law Society of NSW and DLA Piper have been contacted for further comment.

Ms Scruby previously stood for the seat of Pittwater as an independent at the 2023 state election, losing to Rory Amon by just 606 votes.

Mr Amon resigned from the Liberal Party and state parliament on August 30 after he was arrested and charged with child sexual offences.

Ms Scruby with the Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps (left) is campaigning for the seat of Pittwater in the upcoming by-election next week. Picture: Supplied

He is currently facing five counts of sexual intercourse with someone aged 10-14, two counts of attempted sexual intercourse with a child, two counts of indecent assault on a child and committing an act of indecency.

Mr Amon, 35, has denied the allegations and confirmed he will fight the charges in court.

Ms Scruby was again selected to run against the Liberals in the upcoming by-election for Pittwater, to be held on Saturday October 19.

She frequently refers to herself as a “lawyer” or “former lawyer” on her social media profiles – including on her Instagram and Facebook accounts – and in media interviews.