MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate use, 13 November 2013

Evgeny Orlov struck off roll of barristers and solicitors

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has struck Evgeny Orlov off the roll of barristers and solicitors.

Mr Orlov was found guilty of misconduct that would justify a finding that he is not a fit and proper person to practise.

The charges were brought by the New Zealand Law Society’s National Standards Committee. They included charges that Mr Orlov had made allegations about a High Court Judge on a number of occasions that were either false or were made without sufficient foundation.

The Tribunal found the charges proven on 18 October 2013 following a five-day hearing. It has now ordered that Mr Orlov be struck off but has reserved its reasons.

In its substantive decision the Tribunal said that in making the allegations Mr Orlov had expressed himself in an unrestrained, unprofessional and at times outrageous manner. In doing so he had utterly failed in his duty to the legal profession, to the court, and to the public in terms of their reasonable expectations of his behaviour.

The President of the New Zealand Law Society, Chris Moore, said that lawyers as officers of the court were expected to treat others involved in the court processes with respect.

“The allegations made by Mr Orlov undermined processes of the court and the dignity of the judiciary and breached his over-riding duty as an officer of the court,” Mr Moore said.

ENDS

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