Suspended B.C. lawyer accused of 'covertly' practising, law society says
![Scales of justice generic Scales of justice. (Shutterstock)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2021/9/8/scales-of-justice-generic-1-5576926-1657060572744.jpg)
The Law Society of B.C. is investigating allegations that a Kamloops lawyer has continued practising, despite being under a three-month suspension and subject to a custodianship.
Nickolaus Harold MacDonald Weiser's current suspension – the sixth he has been issued in his legal career – was for practising law during a previous suspension in March 2021.
Weiser's suspension took effect on Sept. 25, but the Law Society has since received information suggesting he "covertly" resumed offering legal services, a spokesperson told CTV News in a statement.
"We are also investigating an allegation that he broke into his office to remove a computer after he was suspended," the spokesperson said. "We take these concerns very seriously in keeping with our mandate to protect the public."
Weiser's practice has temporarily been taken over by an appointed custodian, a measure the Law Society of B.C. sometimes uses when lawyers are unable to work due to suspension, disbarment or illness.
CTV News has been unable to reach Weiser to comment on the allegations. A recorded message on his office phone line explains that he is suspended and directs questions to the Law Society.
The tribunal that ordered Weiser's latest suspension described his decision to continue practising while suspended two years ago as "misconduct of a most serious nature."
"(Weiser's) conduct conveyed a lack of concern for his professional obligations and respect for the Law Society’s regulatory role," the tribunal's decision reads. "In the absence of compliance, regulation becomes ineffective, and the public suffers harm. A significant suspension would have a specific and general deterrence impact."
Weiser admitted to providing various legal services and supervising staff in order to complete "time-sensitive" work during a five-day suspension. The work involved a lease agreement, a property conveyance and the drawing and execution of a will.
Beyond practising, Weiser exhibited a "pattern of ignoring requests" from the Law Society of B.C. dating back to April 2018, according to the decision, and failed to provide "complete and timely responses" to the regulatory body during two separate investigations.
The Law Society spokesperson noted that investigators have not made a determination on the latest allegations. It's unclear what additional disciplinary measures Weiser could face if the claims are substantiated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6946509.1719687583!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Who are the richest people in Canada? Here's how many billionaires there are
If you gathered all the wealth that billionaires currently have worldwide, you would have about US$14.2 trillion, according to Forbes Magazine. But what about in Canada alone?
'7 years of regret': Raunchy leg piece wins bad tattoo competition at Edmonton Expo Centre
Friday night was a celebration of mistakes for a small group of body art enthusiasts.
Lightning deal Sergachev, Jeannot; Maple Leafs acquire Tanev's rights at NHL draft
General managers wheeled and dealed Saturday in Sin City.
Health Canada recalls brand of sunscreen product due to potential fungal contamination
Double check your sunscreen products before lathering up this long weekend, as Health Canada has recalled several lots across the country.
U.S. and Europe warn Lebanon's Hezbollah to ease strikes on Israel and back off from wider Mideast war
U.S., European and Arab mediators are pressing to keep stepped-up cross-border attacks between Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militants from spiraling into a wider Middle East war that the world has feared for months. Iran and Israel traded threats Saturday of what Iran said would be an 'obliterating" war over Hezbollah.
Arizona man gets life sentence on murder conviction in starvation death of 6-year-old son
A northern Arizona man has been sentenced to prison for the rest of his life on convictions including first-degree murder in the 2020 starvation death of his six-year-old son, according to court proceedings.
Despair in the air: For many voters, the Biden-Trump debate means a tough choice just got tougher
The sound you might have heard after the presidential debate this past week was of voters falling between a rock and a hard place.
opinion Practical tips for seniors who want to supplement their retirement income
Are you retired and looking for some ideas to help make some extra money? Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew has some tips to help you earn some income in your golden years.
235 flights cancelled as WestJet waits to hear from labour minister on next steps in mechanics strike
WestJet said 235 flights have been cancelled Saturday as it waits to see what the next steps are in its ongoing labour dispute with its mechanics.