Former lawyer David Andrew Riddell has agreed to a discipline sanction that bars him from practising law and from applying for re-admission to the Law Society or elsewhere in Canada for a period of 10 years as of January 27, 2022.
A hearing panel found that he had committed conduct unbecoming the profession when he accessed and viewed pornographic material involving young children, occurring over a lengthy period of time and for which he was charged criminally, convicted and sentenced. Riddell pleaded guilty to the criminal offence and admitted to the conduct.
Following the panel’s facts and determination hearing decision (2021 LSBC 32), the Law Society’s Discipline Committee accepted Riddell’s proposal that he may not practise law for a period of 10 years. The committee considered Riddell’s mental health issues for which he has received extensive counselling, as well as protection of the public by Riddell not being permitted to practise for a lengthy period of time. Should he wish to apply for reinstatement to the Law Society when his undertaking expires on January 27, 2032, he will have to satisfy the Law Society’s Credentials Committee that he is of sufficiently good character and repute to practise law in BC and adhere to any conditions the credentials panel may impose.
For details, read the summary of facts and admission here.
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