High-profile Auckland lawyer Charl Hirschfeld appeared before his profession's disciplinary body today for allegedly charging for his services even though he didn't show up at hearings.
Hirschfeld is accused of dishonourable or disgraceful conduct and is facing 12 charges before the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal in Auckland.
The charges, laid by the Wellington Standards Committee of the New Zealand Law Society, relate to nearly $30,000 he billed the Legal Services Agency.
It is alleged he got another lawyer to appear at various hearings but applied for, and was paid, legal aid.
He allegedly did not ensure that those he engaged to provide legal services were listed providers.
