Prakash Raniga agreed with the Victorian Legal Services Commissioner that he engaged in professional misconduct and should be reprimanded for acting on “inappropriate instructions” he received from his client, the husband, in family law proceedings.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) senior member Jonathan Smithers said the case has illustrated “how issues concerning the fundamental duties of legal practitioners” can arise in the “daily conduct of a family law practitioner’s practice”.
While Victoria Police did not charge the husband with any offences, the VCAT noted the conduct was still likely to be prejudicial to any criminal investigation or charges laid by police.
Raniga admitted his conduct was likely to be “prejudicial to, or diminish the public confidence in, the administration of justice”.
Source: Solicitor punished for trying to trade settlement for silence on rape claim – Lawyers Weekly