"Lawyer disbarred over using injured worker’s settlement sum to pay his own fees,"

Lawyer Joseph Chen has been struck off the rolls for professional misconduct relating to two separate cases in which he acted for migrant workers who were seeking compensation for workplace injuries.

In one case, Mr Chen entered into a settlement agreement without the client’s knowledge and consent, and used the $6,000 settlement sum he received to pay his firm’s fees and his employees.

In the other case, Mr Chen’s inaction for nine months caused the client’s lawsuit to be automatically discontinued...

The tribunal found him guilty of misconduct for failing to act with reasonable diligence and competence, failing to provide timely advice to Mr Masud, and failing to supervise his staff.