A Christchurch lawyer has been struck off for misconduct after he hid a personal interest in a company that did a property deal with a trust he represented.
The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has found Murray Ian Withers guilty of three charges of misconduct laid by the Law Society's Standards Committee.
Mr Withers acted deceptively by failing to disclose he was a shareholder and director of a company that borrowed money and bought land from a trust he represented.
When the company did not repay the loan, Mr Withers continued to hide his personal interest from the trust and tried to renegotiate advantageous repayment terms.
He also failed to pay council fees over a property development.
