For Immediate Release21 July 2023 Unlawful conveyancing company and its director convicted and fined
Elev8 Conveyancing Pty Ltd, which operates in Queensland and its then sole director, Mr Luke Hanson, have today been successfully prosecuted in the Brisbane Magistrates Court by the Legal Services Commissioner.
Elev8 Conveyancing has been convicted of two charges of engaging in legal practice unlawfully and for engaging in legal practice without professional indemnity insurance between 20 October 2020 and 20 December 2021.
Mr Luke Hanson has been convicted of two charges of aiding Elev8 Conveyancing as its then sole director, in engaging in legal practice unlawfully and for engaging in legal practice without professional indemnity insurance.
The Legal Services Commissioner submitted that the evidence seized by execution of a search warrant showed that Elev8 Conveyancing was a running a significant commercial enterprise unlawfully acting on behalf of clients in residential conveyancing transactions in Queensland.
Conveyancing is a legal service in Queensland and can only be provided by qualified and licensed solicitors and law practices. Elev8 Conveyancing was not appropriately licensed and Mr Hanson is not a qualified legal practitioner.
Elev8 Conveyancing was sentenced with a $12,000.00 fine. Mr Hanson was sentenced with a $4,000.00 fine.
Any former clients of Elev8 Conveyancing between 20 October 2020 and 20 December 2021 who have any queries about the services they received can contact the Legal Services Commission on 1300 655 754 or see lsc.qld.gov.au.
The Legal Services Commissioner says in the context of property conveyancing, the potential for substantial loss being occasioned by flawed advice is significant. The sale or purchase of property is a major event in most people’s lives, and they rely on advice from appropriately qualified, licensed and insured practitioners to make important decisions. Rogue operators operating without the safety net of insurance expose themselves and their clients to unnecessary risk which is the precise risk that the law is seeking to deter.
Unqualified providers of legal services are typically individuals who are engaging in the practice of law without holding a practising certificate, and more often, without any qualifications. They can be the subject of criminal conviction as an ‘unlawful operator’ under the Legal Profession Act 2007.
The Legal Services Commission is the independent regulator of the legal profession in Queensland, including receiving and, where appropriate investigating complaints. Where lawyers have engaged in conduct that breaches their ethical or legal obligations, we will act in line with our regulatory responsibilities and use our powers to address those breaches as appropriate.
ENDS
For more information: www.lsc.qld.gov.au Media contact: Anya van Hunnik, Legal Services Commission, 07 3564 7708
