Pippa Sampson, the head of Goddard Elliot, is alleged to have sent the notices on behalf of video stores she was representing. She accepted the interlocutory order from the court but made no admission of liability.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) commenced action against Sampson, alleging she sent four debt collection notices with false information. The ACCC alleges Sampson said debtors had been served with court documents, when they had not, and that her firm could enforce remedies, such as the docking of wages, when such action can only be ordered by a court.

The ACCC is seeking declarations, injunctions, corrective notices, the implementation of a trade practices compliance program and costs against Sampson.

The Federal Court is next due to hear a scheduling matter before Justice Gordon on 24 November.

Sampson has been a partner at Goddard Elliot for over 20 years. She refused to comment on the matter when contacted by Lawyers Weekly earlier this week.