Controversial Auckland lawyer struck off roll

Christopher Harder

Controversial Auckland solicitor Christopher Harder has been struck off the law practitioners roll for serious personal misconduct.

Harder appeared before the New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in Auckland today, which ruled that he would be unable to practice as a solicitor from midday on March 10.

The charges were laid after Harder admitted acting in an unprofessional manner from December 2003 to February 2004.

During a meeting with a client he told him to f... off and then took him to a brothel where he demanded his client simulate the sex act that he had been charged with committing.

Harder claimed it was for forensic purposes.

He was also charged after he told a police officer he had spoken with another client about his first clients case and admitted that he had asked the client to simulate the sexual violation, as described by the complainant, with a prostitute.

Harder said after the hearing today that he would be able to get on with his life without worrying about taking on other people's nightmares.

Harder has been a controversial Auckland lawyer for many years and has often been in hot water with the New Zealand Law Society.

Among a number of incidents was a punch-up with fellow lawyer Barry Hart at the North Shore District Court.

In September last year, the Auckland Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal upheld a complaint that Harder was aggressive, argumentative, discourteous and hostile towards Judge Cecilie Rushton during a trial in Auckland District Court in 2002.

He was found guilty of professional misconduct, and convicted of failing to rise to his feet for the judge and failing to wear a suit jacket at all times.

Mr Harder also appeared before the disciplinary tribunal in 1991, 1992, 1994, and 2000, costing him $150,000 in fines and costs.

In 2004 he was censured, fined $1750 and ordered to pay $4602 in costs by the tribunal after the courtroom scuffle with fellow barrister Barry Hart in North Shore District Court.

Harder pleaded guilty to conduct unbecoming a barrister at a hearing into the assault when Harder attacked Mr Hart after a row over who would represent double-murderer Wen Hui Cui.

Harder was discharged without conviction when he appeared in court on two police charges of assault arising out of the May 2003 incident.

After the hearing Mr Harder's emotions threatened to take over as he said it would be nice not to have to take on other people's nightmares, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"It would be nice to have that off my shoulders for a time and get back and give my wife a bit of attention."

Mr Harder said he planned to write another book and "re-invent myself and see what the future holds".

He said he had no plans other than the enjoy life without the nightmares of others he had been taking on for nearly 25 years.

"It has left me a bit stressed and exhausted."

He said the emotion of it was "not easy. I am dealing with it".

- NZPA