Admitted Discipline Violations

David Andrew Riddell

Maple Ridge, BC

Called to the bar: June 20, 2003

Ceased membership for non-payment of fees: January 1, 2021

Undertaking and admission accepted: January 27, 2022

FACTS

At a facts and determination hearing, a hearing panel determined that David Andrew Riddell’ s conduct constituted conduct unbecoming of the profession when he accessed and viewed pornographic material involving young children over a lengthy period of time and for which he was charged criminally, convicted and sentenced. (2021 LSBC 32).

ADMISSION AND UNDERTAKING

Following the panel’ s facts and determination hearing decision (2021 LSBC 32), the Law Society’ s Discipline Committee accepted Riddell’ s admission of conduct unbecoming the profession and the undertaking that he provided, in which he agreed for a period of 10 years, he will not:

• apply for readmission to the Law Society;
• apply for membership in any other law society without first advising in writing the Law Society;
• engage in the practice of law in British Columbia, with or without the expectation of a fee, gain or reward, whether direct or indirect, until such time as he may again become a member in good standing; and
• permit his name to appear on the letterhead of, or otherwise work in any capacity whatsoever for, any lawyer or law firm in British Columbia without obtaining the prior written consent of the Discipline Committee of the Law Society.

In deciding to accept the proposal, the Discipline Committee considered the aggravating and mitigating factors present in the case. The Committee also considered that Riddell received extensive counselling for mental health issues and that the public would be protected by his inability to practise law for 10 years. Furthermore, the undertaking given by Riddell requires that he advise the Law Society in writing if he intends to apply for membership in any other law society.

Should he wish to apply for reinstatement to the Law Society when his undertaking expires on January 27, 2032, the onus will be on him 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.