Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006

If you need more information about this Act, please contact the administering agency: Ministry of Justice
23 False or misleading representations in relation to supply of legal services

(1)

A person commits an offence who, in connection with the supply or possible supply of legal services or with the promotion by any means of the supply or use of legal services, makes a false or misleading representation that the legal services are provided, or are to be provided, by, or under the direct supervision of, a person (being that person or any other person)—

(a)

who is entitled to provide legal services under the description of lawyer or any other term specified in subparagraphs (ii) to (viii) of section 21(1)(b); or

(b)

who possesses any qualification in law or any branch of law.

(2)

Section 45 of the Fair Trading Act 1986 applies, with all necessary modifications, in relation to any proceedings for an offence against subsection (1) as if those proceedings were proceedings under Part 5 of that Act.

(3)

It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) if the defendant proves that the contravention of that subsection was due—

(a)

to a reasonable mistake; or

(b)

to reasonable reliance on information supplied by another person.