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A summary of recent NCAT decisions involving solicitors.

The Council of the Law Society of NSW v Grubisa [2025] NSWCATOD 127 

On 1 October 2025, the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal) published its decision in disciplinary proceedings that the Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (Council) commenced against Mrs Dominique Grubisa.

The Tribunal found Mrs Grubisa guilty of professional misconduct and unsatisfactory professional conduct and pursuant to s302(1)(f) of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) (Uniform Law) on multiple grounds, including, but not limited to:

  1. Allowing a law practice, of which she was principal, to engage lay associates who were disqualified persons in contravention of the Uniform Law;
  2. Acting for clients in circumstances where she had a conflict of interest;
  3. Representing that an entity was entitled to engage in legal practice when it was not entitled to do so in contravention of the Uniform Law;
  4. Failing to provide legal services competently to clients;
  5. Failing to comply with disclosure obligations under the Uniform Law.

The Tribunal made orders recommending that Mrs Grubisa’s name be removed from the roll maintained by the Supreme Court of New South Wales pursuant to s22 of Uniform Law and that she pay the Council’s costs of the proceedings as agreed or assessed.

Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Moody (No 2) [2025] NSWCATOD 95

On 13 October 2025, the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal) published its decision in disciplinary proceedings that the Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (Council) commenced against Mr Jason Robert Moody.

In its stage 1 decision, the Tribunal found Mr Moody guilty of professional misconduct on the basis that he:

  1. caused to be published, or knowingly authorised or permitted the publication of, an article (Article) on the website (Website) of Moody Law Pty Ltd, in circumstances where he ought reasonably to have known, that such publication may prejudice a fair trial or may be prejudicial to, or diminish public confidence in, the administration of justice, and;
  2. from at least about 25 November 2021 to about 2 February 2022, caused, or knowingly authorised or permitted, the Article to remain on the Website, in circumstances where he ought to have reasonably known, that such publication may prejudice a fair trial or may be prejudicial to, or diminish public confidence in, the administration of justice.

The Tribunal made orders:

  1. reprimanding Mr Moody;
  2. requiring Mr Moody to pay a $1,000.00 fine; and
  3. requiring Mr Moody to pay the Council’s costs of the proceedings.

The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v McCarron [2025] NSWCATOD 154

On 14 November 2025, the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal) published its decision in disciplinary proceedings that the Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (Council) commenced against Mr Christopher Francis McCarron.

The Tribunal found Mr McCarron had engaged in professional misconduct within the meaning of s 297 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law 2014 (NSW) (Uniform Law) with respect to the alleged conduct. The Tribunal found that Mr McCarron had breached his obligations as a fiduciary by acting for a client whilst at the same time representing his own interests in the same transactions and that they amounted to serious conflicts of interest.

The Tribunal made orders which included:

  1. Reprimanding Mr McCarron pursuant to s 299(1)(b) of the Uniform Law.
  2. Requiring Mr McCarron to pay a fine of $3,000 pursuant to s 302(1)(l) of the Uniform Law.
  3. Requiring Mr McCarron to pay Council’s costs, as agreed, in the sum of $27,000.