Summary of Decision of the Hearing Panel
Narindar Pal Singh Kang, QC
Surrey, BC
Called to the bar: May 17, 1991
Written submissions: January 28 and March 3, 19 and 22, 2021 (2021 LSBC 23)
Panel: Kimberly A. Henders Miller, chair, Lisa R. Feinberg and John Lane
Counsel: Mandana Namazi for the Law Society; Peter Leask, QC for Narindar Pal Singh Kang, QC
FACTS
Narindar Pal Singh Kang, QC got into an altercation with his spouse after returning home from a social function where he had consumed alcohol. The argument escalated and Kang struck his spouse as well as used abusive language. The police came after a 911 call from the spouse, who was not injured as a result of the altercation. Kang was charged with assault and mischief. Kang reported to the Law Society that he had been charged with a criminal offence.
Kang appeared in court in relation to the criminal charges where he agreed to enter a common law peace bond imposed for six months. It required him to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, not to attend at his spouse’s residence and to immediately leave his spouse’s presence if requested. The Crown directed a stay of proceedings in relation to the charges against Kang.
ADMISSION AND DETERMINATION
Kang admitted that his conduct constituted conduct unbecoming the profession. The Law Society and Kang jointly submitted that the appropriate disciplinary action would be a two-month suspension and costs of $1,000.
The panel agreed and determined Kang engaged in conduct unbecoming the profession. It considered the serious nature of intimate partner violence, character reference letters provided by Kang, his acknowledgement of his actions and remorse, and the range of penalties in similar cases.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
The panel agreed that the sanction proposed by the Law Society and Kang is fair and reasonable and ordered that Kang:
- be suspended for two months; and
- pay costs of $1,000.
2021 LSBC 23 Decision of the Hearing Panel