'Disgraceful' former Wellington barrister ordered to pay $30,000

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A former Wellington barrister labelled "disgraceful and dishonourable" by a legal watchdog has now been ordered to pay more than $30,000 in costs and compensation.

Christopher Skagen, who now lives in the United States, was found guilty of 12 charges of misconduct by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal in December and was subsequently struck off.

The charges stemmed from Mr Skagen's conduct with two of his clients - dubbed Mr E and Mr W by the tribunal - and the Wellington Standards Committee of the New Zealand Law Society's resulting investigation.

The charges included accepting fees in advance without placing them into a trust account, failing to act in a timely or competent manner and failing to permit an investigator to examine his practice accounts.

Tribunal chairman Judge Bernard Kendall said in the tribunal's decision they found his conduct to be "disgraceful and dishonourable".

"We agree with counsel's submission that it borders on cynical and intentional dishonesty that Mr Skagen, having concluded his conduct in respect to Mr E, went on to behave in a similar manner towards Mr W." Mr Kendall described Mr Skagen's conduct as sustained, cynical and dishonest".

The tribunal also noted Mr Skagen's arrogance in his response to the investigation.

"We have no confidence that he will not behave in a similar manner in the future," Judge Kendall said. "The public is entitled to protection from him."

Mr Skagen was found guilty of similar charges by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon, which suspended him from practising law for 18 months.

In his decision, Judge Kendall said the tribunal found the number, nature and gravity of the charges and the relevant history of similar offending, together with the lack of any insight into his behaviour lead them to the conclusion that he was not a fit and proper person to be practising law.

"We therefore unanimously order that he be struck off the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of New Zealand effective immediately."

He has now been ordered to pay costs of $23,200 to the Law Society, and compensation of $4100 to Mr E and of $7700 to Mr W.