Image: Australian Associated Press
Two Melbourne solicitors have been charged with serious criminal offences after allegedly submitting a falsified medical certificate to Frankston Magistrates’ Court in an attempt to excuse a client from attending a scheduled hearing.
Zoe Davis, 34, and Rachelle Badour-Taha, 25, both formerly practising under ZD Legal Pty Ltd (also known as ZD Legal or ZAD Law), are accused of perverting the course of justice, attempting to pervert the course of justice, and using a false document.
The charges relate to an incident at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in September 2023, where a medical certificate was submitted claiming their client, Alana Digby, had a hospital appointment. Authorities later determined the document to be fraudulent, with the hospital confirming no such appointment had been scheduled.
According to court documents, Davis allegedly directed Badour-Taha to fabricate a story to explain the client’s non-attendance. Badour-Taha is also facing separate charges after admitting to attempting to pervert the course of justice in an unrelated matter involving a false statement to police during a criminal investigation.
Leading Senior Constable Adam Green, a prosecutor at Frankston Magistrates’ Court, told the court that when the registrar raised concerns about the document and he confronted Ms Davis, she began “crying and hyperventilating.”
Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner
The allegations have prompted swift regulatory action. The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C) confirmed both lawyers’ practising certificates have been suspended, and external managers were appointed to oversee ZD Legal’s operations prior to its closure.
In a public statement, the VLSB+C said:
“Following the appointment of managers to ZD Legal Pty Ltd… we suspended the practising certificates of both Zoe Davis and Rachelle Badour-Taha. Neither individual currently holds a practising certificate and therefore cannot engage in legal practice in Victoria.”
Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice
Both women have been charged with perverting the course of justice, attempting to pervert the course of justice, and using a false document. Under Victorian law, perverting the course of justice carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment, underscoring how seriously the justice system views any attempt to interfere with legal proceedings.
The matter remains before Frankston Magistrates’ Court, where proceedings will continue in the coming months.
Hopefully 10 years will remove their sense of entitlement and their belief the law doesn’t apply to them.