A prominent barrister has been fined $150,000 by a disciplinary tribunal for conduct which may bring the profession into disrepute.
Russell Coleman, 37, a former member of the Bar Council, was also censured by the barristers' disciplinary tribunal and ordered to pay costs.
The fine, believed to be the highest ordered by the tribunal, was imposed after the barrister admitted breaching the barristers' code of conduct by committing a criminal offence.
He pleaded guilty at Western Court last June to helping his domestic helper breach employment conditions and was fined $4,000 by a magistrate.
The tribunal, imposing the disciplinary penalties, said: 'We have come to the conclusion that Mr Coleman's behaviour at the very least showed a reckless indifference to the relevant provision of the Immigration Ordinance and to the possible consequences of such a breach.' But it decided not to suspend him because although it was a serious breach, the circumstances were exceptional.
The tribunal ordered that its findings be circulated to the Secretary for Justice, the Director of Legal Aid and the Law Society.
For the first time, it also said copies should be made available to the media on request.