The lawyer, who cannot be named, was earlier this year found guilty of professional misconduct. He is appealing against the decision. The lawyer was found to have engaged in a three-month sexual relationship with a client while representing her during divorce proceedings.

He claimed to have acted in the matter pro bono, but was paid through Legal Aid.

The ACT Law Society declined to reissue his practising certificate at the start of the financial year, barring him from representing clients in court.

Last month, the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal recommended the man be struck off the roll of legal practitioners.

For more on this story, including the comments of Chief Justice Terence Higgins on the case, see the print edition of today’s Canberra Times.