Snapchat scandal threatens law student’s bid to join profession

Following a sexual encounter during a 2019 “Schoolies” event, HLW told the tribunal they were shunned from their friendship group and had been “blocked” on social media by some of its members.

Around this time, HLW experienced family difficulties and turned to illicit substance abuse, which resulted in two hospitalisations.

While recovering from a 2021 hospitalisation incident, HLW posted a Snapchat story on a private account with the caption: “[Person A] and [Person B] u (sic) getting f---ing ran over prepare.”

The following year, HLW was convicted in the Local Court of NSW of the Commonwealth offence of using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend. They were not sentenced on condition they give $2,000 in security and be on good behaviour for 12 months.

While HLW said they mistakenly believed the Snapchat story “would be understood as satire among close friends”, they have since come to recognise that judgement was “seriously flawed”.

They also submitted that the conduct was “impulsive” and “ill-judged”, and they have not engaged in any further offending.

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In determining whether to allow HLW their application, NCAT president Justice Lea Armstrong and deputy president Stuart Westgarth considered a reference from a law lecturer who praised them for being “a standout” and “high distinction level” student.

Justice Armstrong and Westgarth were satisfied that the conduct was unique in the sense that it occurred only once and they have demonstrated the “requisite degree of insight into the unacceptable nature of her/his conduct and is sincerely remorseful”.

The tribunal imposed conditions, including that HLW be supervised.

“In our view, there is no immediate or direct connection between HLW’s conviction and the requirements and responsibilities of the proposed arrangements to work as a lay associate,” they said.

Citation: Application of HLW under s 121 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) [2026] NSWCATOD 65.