Nicholas 'disappointed' Rickards to practise law

JOHN SELKIRK/Dominion Post

CLINT RICKARDS: Faces internal disciplinary charges.

KIRK HARGREAVES/The Press

DISAPPOINTED: Louise Nicholas is concerned about the Auckland District Law Society's decision.

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Former assistant police commissioner Clint Rickards' progression towards becoming a lawyer has disappointed the woman at the centre of a high profile historic rape case against him.

Mr Rickards – who was last year acquitted along with former police officers Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum of raping Louise Nicholas in the early 1980s – was today issued with a certificate of character, effectively giving him permission to practise as a lawyer.

Mr Rickards completed a law degree after resigning from the force following the scandal.

Ms Nicholas said she was concerned that women would be put off going to the courts in case he was the lawyer for the other side.

"I believe that everybody is entitled to a second chance in life, but it's really sad when we were never given a chance," she said.

"What has happened to us – and yes, he was acquitted, I accept that – but I still know who he is and what he is and what he's done in the past.

"I'm hugely, hugely disappointed that common sense hasn't prevailed, and the reason being they talk about his character – well, not very good character when it comes to his known association to the likes of (former Rotorua CIB boss John) Dewar who was done for perverting the course of justice and his links to convicted rapists."

Mr Rickards' application was passed from Auckland District Law Society to its national body for consideration, believed to be the first time the Auckland branch has passed on such an application for the national body to handle.

Auckland president Keith Berman said the application was high profile with a level of public interest, and "a little unusual".

In reaching its decision, the committee appointed by the national body noted that:

* The trials involved conduct that occurred over 20 years ago;

* The applicant had since had a distinguished career in the police;

* He was acquitted of the historic charges.

Mr Rickards said in a written statement that the presumption of innocence was the cornerstone of the legal system, and any other outcome would have been unjust.

He said he wanted to work as a lawyer focusing on Maori issues, and help people unable to access or afford legal assistance.

NZ Law Society president John Marshall QC said the application had generated numerous responses, both supporting and opposing Mr Rickards' admission.

"I'd like to emphasise that the committee that heard this application agonised over it," Mr Marshall told Radio NZ.

"It heard all the evidence and the members of that committee are highly respected and very experienced lawyers from right around the country."

If the society had refused Mr Rickards a certificate of character, he could still apply to the High Court for admission and, in other cases, the court had taken a "forward looking" approach, Mr Marshall said.

Requests for certificates of character are made by all candidates seeking admission as barristers and solicitors of the High Court.

Mr Rickards said in September that he had not done anything illegal and deserved another chance.

He must next be admitted to the bar and then apply for a practising certificate.

- NZPA