Suspended jail term for man posing as a lawyer

Laine Clark | April 21, 2023

More than 20 years after being struck off, a Queensland man has received a suspended jail term for practising law illegally.

Former legal practitioner Paul John Crowley on Friday was convicted of six offences in Brisbane Magistrates Court.

Crowley was struck off the solicitor’s roll in Queensland in 2000.

However Crowley had appeared on behalf of three clients in different matters in various magistrates courts, an independent regular said.

Claiming to be a consultant at a law firm, Crowley made “substantial submissions” to the court including an application to vary a Domestic and Family Violence Protection Order.

“Mr Crowley represented to the court and to the public that he was a legal practitioner,” Legal Services Commissioner Megan Mahon said.

“He engaged in legal practice on behalf of three clients.

“It is against the law for someone to impersonate a lawyer, or to provide legal services if they are not an Australian legal practitioner.”

The Legal Services Commissioner successfully prosecuted Crowley on Friday, with the ex-solicitor sentenced to three months in jail to be suspended for nine months.

He was also ordered to pay the Commissioner’s costs.

Crowley is serving a jail term for an unrelated matter.

“It is important that the court and the public have confidence that those persons appearing as legal practitioners have the qualifications and authorisation to do so,” Ms Mahon said.

“The commission’s responsibility includes taking action against unlawful operators to ensure Queenslanders and the Queensland legal profession are protected from those doing the wrong thing.”