‘Appalling and uncouth:’ Drunk Lawyer Suspended After Grabbing Colleague’s Genitals
NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA, JUL 8 – The Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission accepted a sexual harassment complaint despite government efforts to block it, highlighting workplace power imbalances in the judiciary.
- A senior lawyer was suspended for 15 months following inappropriate touching and lewd behaviour towards colleagues at two firm parties years earlier.
- The misconduct included grabbing a junior's genitals, making inappropriate comments, and dancing sexually while intoxicated, and the lawyer described it as a "joke gone too far."
- The disciplinary panel condemned the lawyer’s behaviour as shocking and inappropriate, but recognized his nearly four years of sobriety and his dedication to addressing the underlying issues through rehabilitation.
- The tribunal ordered the lawyer’s suspension and payment of $73,000 in compensation and legal fees, stating his conduct was more offensive than similar cases such as Palmer's.
- This case highlights ongoing challenges in legal workplaces regarding staff treatment and the courts’ increasing focus on accountability and rehabilitation for misconduct.
12 Articles
12 Articles
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Evidence leader Salome Scheepers argued that it was inappropriate for Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge to initiate a relationship with the court secretary of another judge. On Wednesday, Scheepers began her cross-examination of Mbenenge — who has been accused of sexual harassment by former court secretary Andiswa Mengo — by focusing on an 8 June 2021 incident in which he asked for her phone number at her desk when he was visiting a f…
Former NT Supreme Court judge to face sexual harassment complaint by associate
Save (0) Please login to bookmarkClose Username or Email Address Password Remember Me The Northern Territory government has lost its bid to block a sexual harassment complaint against a former judge of the state’s Supreme Court by his female associate. Subscribe to Lawyerly to access this article.Already a subscriber? Username or Email Address Password Remember Me Lost your password? The post Former NT Supr…
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