A lawyers' tribunal has condemned claims by an Auckland lawyer, who was disciplined over filing a false legal bill, that many lawyers are abusing the legal aid system.
Last week, the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal suspended Chris Comeskey for nine months after he pleaded guilty to charges which included misleading the Court of Appeal and overbilling the Legal Services Agency.
In a written decision released on Friday, the tribunal said it was particularly troubled by what it called 'unsavory claims' by Mr Comeskey that unlawful practices in relation to legal aid were standard practice.
Law Society president Jonathan Temm says the tribunal's comments will endorse its rejection of those claims.
He says it was not fair to malign other lawyers who are working exceptionally hard.
