On 15 June 2001 the Bar Council of the New South Wales Bar Association resolved, pursuant to sec 37 (1)(a) and sec 37(1)(f) of the Legal Profession Act 1987,to cancel the practising certificate of (Lawrence) Robert Somosi.
On 20 August 2001 the NSW Court of Appeal, as a consequence of disciplinary proceedings brought by the NSW Bar Association, ordered that the name of (Lawrence) Robert Somosi be removed from the Roll of Legal Practitioners
On 31 August 2001 the NSW Court of Appeal, declared that (Lawrence) Robert Somosi had been guilty of professional misconduct and is not a fit and proper person to remain on the Roll of Legal Practitioners.
Notwithstanding the order of the Court of Appeal of 20 August 2001 that the name of (Lawrence) Robert Somosi be removed from the Roll of Legal Practitioners , the Bar Council of the New South Wales Bar Association commenced further proceedings in February 2002 in the Legal Services Division of the Administrative Decisions Tribunal with respect to (Lawrence) Robert Somosi. On 30 December 2002 the Tribunal delivered its judgment in the matter of Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v Lawrence Robert Somosi.
The Tribunal found that Lawrence Robert Somosi was guilty of professional misconduct in respect of two counts, namely:
- Failing to appear at a sentence hearing before His Honour Judge Kirkham on 6 April 1998; and
- Failing to honour an undertaking he gave to the Family Court on 3 February 1995 in respect of proceedings involving his former wife.
Noting that Mr Somosi's name had already been removed from the Roll of Legal Practitioners, the Tribunal ordered:
- In relation to each matter, that Lawrence Robert Somosi be publicly reprimanded;and
- Lawrence Robert Somosi pay the costs of the Bar Association.