Donna Hall's bid to have charge dismissed rejected

Donna Hall. Photo / Greg Bowker

A disciplinary tribunal has rejected a prominent lawyer's application to have a conflict of interest charge against her dismissed.

The Law Society's standards committee alleges Donna Hall acted for the vendor, purchaser and lender during a Maori land deal in 2007, without the consent of each party to represent the others.

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has refused Ms Hall's application to have the charge dismissed.

Her lawyer, Helen Cull QC, argued at a hearing this month that one of the trusts Ms Hall acted as solicitor for had received independent legal advice warning of a conflict, but that advice was rejected.

She also argued the trusts involved in the deal shared common interests that negated any alleged conflict; the trustees were experienced; and the transaction did not lead to any losses.

In its written decision, the tribunal noted it had not made a final decision and a finding of guilt was a matter to be determined later.

But there was evidence that could support the charge against Ms Hall, and for that reason her application to have the charge struck out was denied.

Ms Hall has indicated she would seek advice on whether to appeal the decision.