2006 LSBC 53
Report issued: December 22, 2006
The Law Society of British Columbia
In the matter of the Legal Profession Act, SBC 1998, c.9
and a hearing concerning
Mani Sandhu
Applicant
Supplemental Reasons of the Hearing Panel
Hearing date: November 20, 2006
Panel: Robert McDiarmid, Q.C., Chair, Rita Andreone, Anna Fung, Q.C.
Counsel for the Law Society: Herman Van Ommen
Counsel for the Respondent: Mike Tammen
[1] The Legal Profession Act does not require reasons be given for a Panel's decision, unless requested by an Applicant following a rejection of the application. Nevertheless, the Panel, on request of counsel for the Law Society, provides these supplemental reasons, to supplement the decision reached by this Panel on November 20, 2006.
[2] The Applicant was charged criminally, testified, was subjected to cross-examination and was acquitted by an experienced Provincial Court Judge, Judge Tweedale. Before this Panel, the Applicant gave testimony consistent with the testimony given, and accepted, by the Provincial Court.
[3] The Applicant's actions, which resulted in criminal charges being brought, were obviously unwise, and appeared to be motivated by something approaching panic, but that does not mean that the crux of his explanation was not believable. The Panel expects that the Applicant has grown from this experience. The Panel accepts his explanation, finds him credible, and therefore is able to conclude that the Applicant is fit, and of good character and repute.