Kaye v Auckland District Law Society - [1998] 1 NZLR 151

Law practitioners — Costs — Bankrupt barrister sole censured by New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal — Pleaded guilty to four relatively minor charges before the hearing — Fifteen charges withdrawn before commencement of hearing — Appellant ordered to pay costs totalling $14,000 — Bills of costs not itemised — Appellant subsequently discharged from bankruptcy — Whether level of costs excessive or irrational and based on improper inquiry or evidence — Whether the tribunal was competent to order payment of costs against an undischarged bankrupt — Insolvency Act 1967, ss 87 and 98.