In Brief
An advocate was accused of professional misconduct for objecting to the registration of a sale deed when his former client (in a concluded property dispute case) attempted to sell land in 2003. The Bar Councils found him guilty and suspended his license for two years (later reduced to one year). The Supreme Court held that since the sale was a private transaction unconnected with any legal proceedings, and the advocate was not acting in his professional capacity, his conduct did not violate Rule 22 of the Standards of Professional Conduct, which applies only to property sold in execution of court decrees. The appeal was allowed and the disciplinary orders were set aside."
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