Finding
Professional misconduct under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Vic) + Unsatisfactory professional conduct under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Vic)
Penalty
1.In respect of the findings concerning Charges 1 and 3 the Tribunal makes a global order (a) reprimanding Ms Aarons; (b) requiring Ms Aarons to pay a fine in the sum of $3000 within 60 days of these orders; (c) directing that Ms Aarons Australian practising certificate be suspended for a period of six months with the operation of that suspension being wholly suspended for 12 months; and (d) requiring Ms Aarons to complete three extra continuing professional development points in the field of Ethics and Professional Responsibility (two points) and Professional Skills (one point) (specifically in the areas of corporations law insolvency bankruptcy directors duties or trust accounting) in addition to any mandatory professional development requirements within 12 months of these orders 2.In respect of the findings concerning Charges 6 and 8 the Tribunal makes a global order (a) reprimanding Ms Aarons; (b) requiring Ms Aarons to pay a fine in the sum of $1500 within 60 days of these orders; and (c) requiring Ms Aarons to complete two extra continuing professional development points in the field of Ethics and Professional Responsibility (one point) and Professional Skills (one point) (specifically in the areas of corporations law insolvency bankruptcy directors duties or trust accounting) in addition to any mandatory professional development requirements within 12 months of these orders. 3. In respect of the findings concerning Charges 9 and 14 the Tribunal makes a global order: (a) reprimanding Ms Aarons; (b) requiring Ms Aarons to pay a fine in the sum of $2000 within 60 days of these orders; (c) directing Ms Aarons Australian practising certificate be suspended for a period of six months to be served concurrently with the period of suspension ordered in relation to Charges 1 and 3 with the operation of that suspension being wholly suspended for 12 months; and (d) requiring Ms Aarons to complete three extra continuing professional development points in the field of Ethics and Professional Responsibility (two points) and Practice Management and Business Skills (one point) in addition to any mandatory professional development requirements within 12 months of these orders. 4.In respect of the finding concerning Charge 11 an order: (a) reprimanding Ms Aarons; and (b) requiring Ms Aarons to pay a fine in the sum of $1000 within 60 days of these orders. 5.For the avoidance of doubt the requirements to obtain continuing professional development points in each of the above orders are cumulative upon each other not concurrent amounting to a total of eight points. 6.Under s 303(1) of the Uniform Law Ms Aarons is to pay the VLSCs costs of these proceedings quantified in the amount of $18000. These are to be paid by nine monthly instalments of $2000. The first instalment is to be paid on 24 June 2026 and the following payments on the 24th day of each month from July 2026 to February 2027 inclusive