Dunedin city councillor Michael Guest is not revealing the contents of a "draft copy" of a decision from the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal.
In July, the tribunal, chaired by Judge Dale Clarkson, spent two days in Dunedin hearing Mr Guest's application for reinstatement as a lawyer.
The New Zealand Law Society, represented by barrister Len Andersen, objected.
Mr Guest, speaking from his family's Wanaka holiday home yesterday, said he and Mr Andersen had been sent what he understood was a "draft copy" of the decision, but in error.
"They instantly recalled it."
The two tribunal staff dealing with inquiries over the release of the decision are both on leave.
However, when contacted yesterday, tribunal operations manager Kaine Thompson said he understood an interim decision had been released.
"I understand an interim was released but a final has not been released, as such, for public view."
He did not consider there would be "a lot of room" between the interim and the final decision.
"It's a courtesy as part of this particular process and it's usually just to clarify administration things as opposed to anything substantive.
"The judges usually have their minds made up fairly well and usually have a good rationale when they release their decision."
Mr Andersen said yesterday he had not yet received a copy of the interim decision.
It is understood one of the options for the tribunal is to reinstate Mr Guest to the profession but require him to work under supervision.
Mr Guest said he was told by the tribunal a final decision would be released "hopefully, in the next week".
