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Facilitating an illegal adoption which led to a baby being taken to Australia has resulted in suspension for a Christchurch lawyer.
Susan Barbara Lewis, 54, a family law specialist, wrongly advised an 18-year-old woman who wanted relatives in Australia to adopt her baby that the baby's father's involvement was "not necessary".
The New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal decision said Ms Lewis committed "a series of mistakes".
The baby was born in February 2006, with the mother living on a farm with her parents, The Press reported.
Her relationship with the baby's father was difficult.
The mother and her parents decided relatives in Western Australia should adopt the child but, despite discussing the matter with the father, no agreement was reached.
Ms Lewis, who advised the family, "misunderstood the legal status of the father in the adoption process", the tribunal's decision said.
"She had adoption documents completed without any involvement from the father of the child and advised her clients the father's involvement was not necessary.
"She advised her clients the child could be taken to Australia and placed with the prospective adoptive parents."
The baby was taken to Australia but eventually returned home after the father instigated legal proceedings.
Ms Lewis' "mistake on mistake" led to a serious outcome at the highest end of the scale, the tribunal said.
She was given the maximum suspension of three years.
- NZPA
