2.4 Punishment

The graded ladder: (1) warning (the minor first instance); (2) fine; (3) practice restriction (limits on appearance or practice); (4) licence suspension (fixed term); (5) licence cancellation (the profession's expulsion — the last resort). The philosophy: proportionality (gravity matched; repetition aggravated; rehabilitation considered) — the purpose is protection of the public and the profession's integrity, not vengeance. The consequences beyond the record: designation loss (the senior advocate's standing), the future integrity questions (the record follows the practitioner). The client's parallel remedies: fee refund claims, damages for negligence (the civil track alongside the professional discipline — Unit 7's legal-audit and accountancy themes).