A high-profile Tauranga criminal barrister has been found guilty of misconduct for having an inappropriate relationship with an 18-year-old client in 2010.
Craig Horsley, mid-50s, who twice appeared before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal, also admitted a second charge of misconduct which related to him misleading the Canterbury Westland Standards Committee by earlier denying the relationship existed.
Mr Horsley appeared at two tribunal hearings - in November and February this year - after charges were laid by the standards committee.
The tribunal found Mr Horsley guilty for providing legal services to the young woman while in an intimate personal relationship with her.
The charge relates to a breach of the Conduct and Client Care Rule, which states: "A lawyer must be independent and free from compromising influences or loyalties when providing services to his or her clients".