MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate use, 16 July 2014

Heval Hylan suspended from legal practice

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended Heval Hylan of Auckland for a period of nine months.

Mr Hylan was found guilty of misconduct for certifying a separation agreement which he knew was false.

The tribunal upheld the charge brought by the New Zealand Law Society that his conduct was a significant departure from accepted standards and would be regarded by lawyers of good standing as disgraceful or dishonourable.

Mr Hylan acted for a woman and her husband who were not separated and were jointly caring for their children.

The tribunal found that Mr Hylan knew the woman was being forced to sign the agreement by her husband and that it was needed to support a visa application to Immigration New Zealand for a person said to be the husband’s girlfriend.

Law Society National Prosecutions Manager Mark Treleaven says Mr Hylan had lacked probity and integrity by his conduct in signing the agreement.

“New Zealand lawyers are held to an extremely high standard of professional conduct, and they are expected to maintain the integrity of the legal profession no matter how much pressure is placed upon them.”

© Scoop Media