Finding
Professional misconduct under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Vic)
Penalty
The Tribunal finds that Mr Raniga engaged in professional misconduct within the meaning of s 298(b) of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria) (Uniform Law) in that on 13 March 2020 he made an offer on behalf of his client to settle matrimonial property matters which was contingent on the client's ex-wife's statement of no complaint to police in respect of an historical rape allegation and assurance to make no further complaint to police in respect of matters prior to separation which conduct amounted to a contravention of rules 5.1.2 and 34.1.3 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015. 1. Under s 299(1)(b) and s 302(1) of the Uniform Law Mr Raniga is reprimanded. 2. Under s 299(1)(e) and s 302(1) of the Uniform Law Mr Raniga is to complete three (3) continuing professional development units in the area of ethics and professional responsibility additional to the mandatory requirements within six months of this order. 3. Under s 303(1) of the Uniform Law Mr Raniga is to pay the applicants costs of the proceeding fixed in the sum of $3000 within 60 days of this order.