For Immediate Release 28 March 2023 Injunction granted against ‘consultant’
On Tuesday 28 March 2023, the Legal Services Commissioner obtained a Supreme Court injunction, restraining Mr Surendra Raghoobar, from engaging in legal practice in Queensland when not an Australian legal practitioner.
Mr Raghoobar, who holds a law degree, admitted in Court that he was not an Australian legal practitioner and claimed that he never held himself out to be one and had not engaged in the provision of legal services. Through his business, SR Dep Services, he claimed to only have provided assistance to his clients, including proof-reading and editing of documents for use in court proceedings and assisting them to understand and navigate court processes.
His Honour Justice Martin noted that ‘the fact Mr Raghoobar expressly told his clients that he is not a legal practitioner has no effect whether his conduct amounted to engaging in legal practice.’ His Honour concluded that the material before him contained numerous examples of Mr Raghoobar engaging in legal practice, including the drafting of applications, affidavits and other documents for use in court, the provision of advice to parties in respect of matter of law and procedure and the charging of his client for work done.
The injunction restrains Mr Raghoobar from providing legal advice in relation to:
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.
In some circumstances, it is appropriate to take swift action against persons who may be engaging in this unlawful and harmful conduct. Injunctions are only sought where it is in the public interest to do and to prevent further harmful action from occurring.
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 Hunnick, Legal Services Commission, 07 3564 7708
