The facts in a Financial Services Tribunal debarment matter were that the financial services’ representative had certified certain documents as copies of the original without having seen the original documents.  She failed to ensure that she complied with the statutory requirements for certifying copies and the duties made mandatory upon her through her position as a Commissioner of Oaths.  She said she did it as a favour to her co-employee.  The documents were legitimately used but the representative benefited financially from the transaction and thus was indirectly rewarded for her misconduct.  The debarment was upheld by the Tribunal.

This is an all too frequent procedure by those certifying copies and it must be realised that it is dishonest and can have consequences.