21 Dec 2018

Auckland lawyer used client funds to pay debts

8:20 pm on 21 December 2018

An Auckland lawyer has been struck off for using client funds to pay debts owed by his law firm.

Judge, law, lawyer and Justice concept with a 3d render of a gavel on a wooden desktop with grey background.

Auckland lawyer Frederick William Baker has been struck off for using client funds to pay his firm's debts. Photo: 123RF

Frederick William Baker pleaded guilty to several charges relating to using funds in his firm's trust account between 2013 and September last year.

As well as misusing the money, he failed to maintain trust account records as required, processed false receipts and caused the firm's interest-in-trust ledger to be overdrawn several times.

Mr Baker apologised to the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal and said he took full responsibility for his actions.

He has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs