A LAWYER who is helping bikies fight the Newman Government in the High Court has fallen foul of the legal watchdog.
Solicitor Zeke Bentley, whose firm is leading the challenge to Queensland’s anti-gang laws, has been charged with professional misconduct by the Legal Services Commissioner.
The LSC claims Mr Bentley falsely witnessed a sworn statement for a client who was 15,000km away in Budapest, Hungary, on May 22 last year.
The watchdog has applied for disciplinary proceedings — which might range from practice conditions to suspension — against Mr Bentley in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
It follows a complaint to the LSC by businessman Jarrod Sierocki, who successfully sued Mr Bentley’s client, Paul Klerck, over online slurs in a defamation case that also embroiled Google.
Mr Bentley said the charge came down to a “difference in interpretation” of court rules for taking a statement from someone overseas who “cannot find an authorised witness who speaks English”.
“I hope the issues will be resolved as early as possible, especially given this is the first time in 18 years of practice as a lawyer that I have faced a proceeding like this,” he said.
“I take my professional obligations seriously, I will be defending the matter, and I respect the important role performed by the LSC in protecting the reputation of the profession and the public.”
Mr Bentley’s firm Irish Bentley is representing the United Motorcycle Council Queensland in its bid to defeat anti-gang laws including the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act.
Commissioner John Briton last month revealed a backlog of 55 cases against lawyers in QCAT after the government had failed to appoint anyone to hear them.
Original article: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/solicitor-zeke-bentley-leading-legal-battle-against-antibikie-laws-faces-misconduct-charge/story-fnihsrf2-1226934165180
