Vancouver, June 19, 2019 – The Law Society has found former lawyer Gerhardus Albertus Pyper of Surrey ungovernable and has ordered that he be disbarred.
Pyper was retained in 2011 to represent a client claiming to have been assaulted at a soccer game. Pyper filed a notice of civil claim, but the notice expired before it had been served on the defendant. In 2013, Pyper improperly applied for and obtained default judgment. In 2014, another lawyer succeeded in having the notice of civil claim renewed, but the client subsequently decided he did not have the financial resources to pursue the matter further.
A Law Society hearing panel found that Pyper committed professional misconduct by failing to provide an adequate quality of service for his client and failing to recommend that the client obtain independent legal advice after Pyper had committed a professional error. Pyper was also found to have performed his duties as a lawyer incompetently.
Pyper’s professional conduct record was a significant factor in determining that he is ungovernable and that disbarment is therefore the appropriate disciplinary action. Pyper had been suspended in 2014 and was subsequently issued two additional suspensions.
Written reasons for the hearing panel’s decision are available on the Law Society website.
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For further information contact:
David Jordan
Communications Officer
604.443.5708
djordan@lsbc.org