The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (LPDT)

The Complaints Committee can determine that an allegation of misconduct is sufficiently serious to be referred to the LPDT.

Serious allegations of misconduct, which do not involve criminality, can be referred to the LPDT if the Complaints Committee considers it appropriate. Allegations of a criminal nature made against a legal practitioner may be referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation.

A LPDT inquiry is conducted by way of an oral hearing which is normally held in public, unless the Tribunal is satisfied that it should be held in private.

The Tribunal has a wide range of sanctions available to it under section 85(7), including;

  • advice;

  • admonishment;

  • censure;

  • restrictions placed on a solicitor's ability to practice;

  • suspended from practice;

  • pay a sum in restitution; or

  • struck-off the Roll of Solicitors.

The solicitor has 28 days to appeal any determination made by the LPDT to the High Court.