A Christchurch lawyer has been struck off by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal.
Murray Ian Withers was found guilty of three charges of misconduct brought by a New Zealand Law Society standards committee.
New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore says the tribunal's decision showed it was vital for lawyers to ensure they disclosed any personal interests which could cause a conflict with the interests of their clients.
The first charge related to a failure by Mr Withers to meet an undertaking to the Christchurch City Council to pay fees due for a property development in which he had an interest through a company shareholding.
He was also found to have acted deceptively in not disclosing a personal interest when acting as a lawyer for a trust.
The third charge found that he had acted deceptively in continuing to conceal his personal interest in the company when it failed to repay the loan.
