A Dunedin lawyer has started an "affected persons register" to encourage former clients of lawyer John Milne to come forward about loans they made to him.
Mr Milne is facing multiple allegations about taking loans from clients.
Aside from a separate Serious Fraud Office investigation, the Otago branch of the Law Society is preparing charges and plans to prosecute Mr Milne before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal in coming months.
The number of clients and extent of loans is unknown at present, but ranges from 10 people owed up to $2 million through to 38 people owed, possibly, up to $3.8 million.
Dunedin solicitor Alistair Paterson has launched an "affected persons register" to collate the names and extent of loans made to Mr Milne.
"It's about finding out what people want to do and for them to explore their options," Mr Paterson said when contacted.
He said the register should not be considered the beginning of a class action, but as a way for the former clients to collectively look at their rights.
In the formatted register form, Mr Paterson does ask if clients want to consider contributing to a "joint action" on the "actions of/claims against John Milne".
Other issues Mr Paterson canvasses are whether clients want to take action against Mr Milne's former employer, Dunedin solicitor Craig Paddon; possible actions on making a claim against the New Zealand Law Society's fidelity fund; and the clients' tax positions with IRD.
Mr Milne no longer has a practising certificate.
His legal practice was bought by Dunedin law firm Craig Paddon Law five years ago and he later worked for that firm in Christchurch, but he ceased employment recently.
The law firm has said in a statement it was unaware Mr Milne was borrowing money from clients, and there had been no "irregular transactions" involving the firm's trust account.
Three separate complaints about Mr Milne are at present being investigated by the Law Society's Otago branch.
The Serious Fraud Office, which does not comment on investigations while they are being carried out, is understood to have started interviewing former clients and other people in Dunedin.
