Lawyer Duane Rhyno pleads guilty to breaching court order

Nova Scotia lawyer Duane Rhyno has pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching conditions of a court order.

Rhyno made the surprise change of plea during an appearance in Dartmouth provincial courtFriday morning. It was supposed to be the third day of his trial on the charges.

Rhyno was charged with human traffickingin September2014.He was accused of selling the sexual services of a woman, using a hotel in the Annapolis Valley.

Rhyno was free on conditions while awaiting trial on the human trafficking charges. Those conditions include he stay away from the woman, but Rhyno met her twice in Dartmouth.

The court was told each meeting lasted five to 10 minutes.

Sentenced in December

The human trafficking charges against Rhyno were withdrawn before the case went to trial, butthe breach charges remained.

"It's not usually the case that the two are contingent upon each other," said Crown prosecutor Erica Koresawa.

"A breach of a court order is a very different offence from a substantive offence for which someone might be put on conditions."

Rhyno will be sentenced on the breach charges in December. The woman he met with is expected to enter a victim impact statement at that time. Rhyno had no comment outside court following his guilty pleas.

Two other breach charges he was facing will be withdrawn at his sentencing.

Nova Scotia Barristers' Society

The executive director of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society saidRhyno will be required to report his conviction to the society.

Darrell Pink said the society's complaints investigation committee will then decide whether an investigation is required, and whether any action should be taken on Rhyno's licence to practise law.

Rhynohad his licence briefly suspended when he was first charged with human trafficking.

He has also faced discipline by the society in the past for the way he has handled clients' files.