The High Court of New Zealand has recently decided to impose a one-month suspension on lawyer Janet Mason, effective from August 1, following her previous appeal against a ruling from the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. This Tribunal had found Mason guilty of failing to comply with a professional training order, stemming from a 2020 investigation where she was cited for unsatisfactory conduct and breaches of legal obligations under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.
The disciplinary actions against Mason began when the Wellington Standards Committee mandated her to complete a Civil Litigation Skills course by September 16, 2023. However, she did not comply, citing her heavy workload, which led to further investigations and findings of misconduct due to her willful non-compliance. Consequently, the Tribunal initially imposed a three-month suspension starting on April 11, 2025, along with a fine exceeding $40,000.
During the High Court review, Justice Geoffrey John Venning confirmed the Tribunal’s findings on liability but deemed the three-month suspension excessive. He emphasized that a one-month suspension would sufficiently underscore the importance of adhering to professional orders without unduly impacting Mason and her clients.
Concurrent to these legal challenges, Mason serves as the legal adviser to the Commission of Inquiry (COI) investigating the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner. Tensions have arisen, with the Fiji Law Society recommending that Mason consider stepping aside temporarily from her role in the inquiry due to concerns over her disciplinary history, which they believe could undermine public confidence in the inquiry’s integrity.
Despite these tumultuous developments, Mason maintains her commitment to both the Commission of Inquiry and her legal practice, asserting the integrity of her actions and qualifications as a practitioner. Stakeholders hold cautious optimism that the ongoing inquiry could result in significant reforms within the legal framework of Fiji, enhancing transparency and governance standards.
This situation highlights not only the importance of accountability within the legal profession but also reflects an opportunity for meaningful reform in Fiji’s governance practices. There is a hopeful perspective that, through these challenges, the inquiry might bolster ethical standards and public trust in legal institutions.
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