Having narrowly missed being struck off for dishonesty after inflating cost of a client’s pre-sentence alcohol and drug assessment report, Wellington lawyer Chris Tennet had his period of suspension from practice reduced to nine months on appeal to the High Court.
The Lawyers Disciplinary Tribunal was told Christopher James Tennet’s client came from a ‘prominent’ criminal family. She has an extensive list of prior convictions. She had a chaotic personal life including prostitution, illicit substance use, excessive alcohol use and a violent partner who was a previous client of Mr Tennet.
The disciplinary complaint followed Mr Tennet’s actions in obtaining her pre-sentencing report at a cost of $1200 and billing his client claiming the cost was $3450. She never paid. Neither did her violent partner who had previously indicated that he would cover her legal costs.
In recent years, Mr Tennet has been disciplined and fined on three separate occasions for improper professional behaviour, including correspondence with Corrections described as ‘harassing’ and personal attacks on an employee of Legal Aid Services described as ‘prolonged bullying.’
The Disciplinary Tribunal said Mr Tennet hit out at those he thought he could hurt with impunity. It imposed a twelve month suspension from practice for misconduct; his falsification of cost for the pre-sentence report.
On appeal, Justice McQueen reduced the period of suspension to nine months taking into account Mr Tennet’s decades long record of practice as a criminal barrister, allowing him an opportunity for redemption.
Any lawyer suspended for more than six months must apply for a new practising certificate when returning to work, with evidence of steps taken towards rehabilitation and professional development to prevent any recurrence of past misconduct.
Tennet v. Wellington Standards Committee 2 – High Court (6.09.23)
23.149