The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Alexander Stuart Pinnock (also known as Alec Stuart and Alec Anton Stuart) Proceedings Numbers 2023/00025251, 2023/00025290, 2023/00025294, 2023/00025277; 2023/00025288 and 2023/00025297
On 24 January 2023, the Council of the Law Society commenced proceedings against Mr Pinnock in the Local Court of New South Wales, in the nature of a summary prosecution, pursuant to s.165A of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (NSW)(Proceedings). In the Proceedings, the Council of the Law Society alleged that Mr Pinnock had committed:
- one offence of engaging in unqualified legal practice contrary to section 10(1) of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) (Uniform Law); and
- five offences of representing that he was entitled to engage in legal practice contrary to section 11(1) of the Uniform Law.
Specifically, the Council of the Law Society made the following allegations against Mr Pinnock:
- On or about 25 January 2022 Mr Pinnock, contrary to section 11(1) of the Uniform Law, represented in an application that he made to the Law Society of New South Wales for a replacement identification card, that he was entitled to engage in legal practice.
- On or about 26 February 2022 Mr Pinnock, contrary to section 11(1) of the Uniform Law, represented in an application to the Queensland Law Society for Associate Membership, that he was entitled to engage in legal practice.
- Between about 14 March 2022 and 12 May 2022 Mr Pinnock represented, on a Facebook page for Sydney Lawyers Pty Ltd, that he was entitled to engage in legal practice contrary to section 11(1) of the Uniform Law.
- On or about 13 April 2022 Mr Pinnock, contrary to section 11(1) of the Uniform Law, in correspondence to the Queensland Law Society regarding an application for a practising certificate, represented that he was entitled to engage in legal practice.
- On 17 May 2022 Mr Pinnock, in an appearance before the Coffs Harbour Local Court, engaged in legal practice contrary to section 10(1) of the Uniform Law.
- Between about 14 October 2022 and 16 January 2023 Mr Pinnock represented, on the Alec Stuart Law website, that he was entitled to engage in legal practice contrary to section 11(1) of the Uniform Law.
On 20 March 2023, Mr Pinnock pleaded guilty to all charges in the Proceedings.
On 3 April 2023, her Honour Magistrate Haskett sentenced Mr Pinnock as follows:
- In respect of the charge in relation to the conduct that occurred on 25 January 2022, imposed a fine of $500;
- In respect of the charge in relation to the conduct that occurred on 26 February 2022, imposed a fine of $600;
- In respect of the charge in relation to the conduct that occurred between 14 March 2022 and 12 May 2022, imposed a fine of $700;
- In respect of the charge in relation to the conduct that occurred on 14 April 2022, imposed a fine of $800; and
- In respect of the charge in relation to the conduct that occurred 17 May 2022, the following orders were made:
- A Community Corrections Order with conviction for a period of 18 months and supervision by Nowra Community Corrections.
- Mr Pinnock is to have supervision with respect to his rehabilitation and treatment for his mental health.
- Mr Pinnock is to maintain his ongoing appointments with Associate Professor Davies or others at Davies’ advice.
- Mr Pinnock is to report to the Nowra office of Community Corrections within 7 days.
In respect of the charge in relation to the conduct that occurred between 14 October 2022 and 16 January 2023, imposed a fine of $900.