Ex-business partner plans complaint against Parker

Russell Hyslop

The former business partner of David Parker says he plans to lay a complaint with the Otago District Law Society against the Labour MP.

Dunedin builder Russell Hyslop told the Otago Daily Times he planned to lay a complaint against Mr Parker and his ex-partners.

Mr Hyslop was involved with Mr Parker and Mr Parker's father Francis in company Queens Park Mews Ltd.

Mr Parker, who is a lawyer, this week resigned his Cabinet portfolios after admitting he made false statements to the Companies Office about the company.

Mr Parker filed declarations to the Companies Office stating the shareholders of Queens Park Mews Ltd decided unanimously not to appoint an auditor but Mr Hyslop said he was not consulted.

The Labour MP on Monday quit his attorney-general role but the next day resigned his energy, transport and climate change portfolios after deciding his position was untenable.

"I haven't made a complaint yet but I'm going to make a complaint against David and also against his ex-partners," Mr Hyslop told the newspaper.

The New Zealand Law Society has a system for complaints against lawyers.

Complaints are made to the local branch with the district law society then investigating.

If considered serious, the district law society can lay a charge against the lawyer with either the District Disciplinary Tribunal or the New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

"Those tribunals have considerable powers to deal with lawyers they find guilty of disciplinary charges: they can censure, fine or restrict the practice of lawyers and the New Zealand tribunal can strike a lawyer off the roll of barristers and solicitors so that he or she can no longer practice," the Law Society says.

Applications for striking off can also be made direct to the High Court, it says.

- NZPA