25 Jul 2012

Law Society to lay charges against lawyer

2:48 pm on 25 July 2012

The Law Society says it will lay charges against a lawyer who is accused of borrowing large amounts of money from clients.

The Otago Lawyers Standards Committee held a hearing on Tuesday into two complaints against John Milne.

He practised on his own account in Dunedin for many years, but had been employed by Craig Paddon Law in Christchurch since 2008.

Mr Milne is accused of borrowing from up to 40 clients over a 15 year period.

Convenor David More says the committee has decided to refer the matter to the Serious Fraud Office and to lay professional misconduct charges before the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal.

The SFO has confirmed it is investigating.

Mr Milne is no longer employed by Craig Paddon Law and has handed in his practising certificate to the Law Society.

Any of his clients who have not come forward, is asked to contact the Law Society.