Longtime Geelong lawyer Ansell can no longer practise, says VCAT

A LONGTIME Geelong lawyer has been refused a practising certificate amid questions about his character and business interests.

Peter Ansell was refused the certificate by the Victorian Legal Services Board in October on the grounds he was “not a person of good fame and character” and had refused to comply with court processes.

The solicitor, who practised locally under Ansell Lawyers, had applied to VCAT for a stay and review of the decision.

But VCAT sided with the board, raising concerns about the allegations and the applicant’s lack of preparation.

The court heard Mr Ansell first came to the VLSB’s attention after taking over as principal solicitor at Erudite Legal in 2021. The VLSB had allegedly fielded complaints and inquiries about the firm, which only represented two clients.

“The board had concerns about Erudite Legal before Mr Ansell became its principal solicitor for the first time,” VCAT senior member Jonathan Smithers said.

“It is concerned that it has been engaging in litigation without a proper basis.”

It was alleged an audit of the firm could not be completed because of “non-compliance and lack of co-operation from Erudite Legal personnel” from four successive directors.

The board later installed a practice manager and appointed an investigator. “A number of arrangements have been made, over the period 23 August to the present, for Mr Ansell to be interviewed, however he has always failed to attend,” Mr Smithers said.

He also missed a courtmandated examination.

The court heard the VLSB was also in the process of appointing a practice manager to Ansell Lawyers.

Under the move, Mr Ansell would be banned from practising under the banner of either firm without supervision of the appointed manager.

The board argued Mr Ansell had not ensured the practice had professional indemnity insurance that year and failed to supervise services provided.

It was also submitted that Mr Ansell “lacked insight into the seriousness of his conduct”.

In his application for a review, Mr Ansell called the refusal an “abuse of process” and said it would “risk causing irreparable harm to my clients and my practice”.

Mr Ansell remains without a practising certificate.