A Cape Breton lawyer is facing a suspension of up to 18 months and strict conditions on returning to practice after admitting to the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society that he lied to clients, other lawyers and the courts.

During an online hearing on Thursday, bar society lawyer Bernadine MacAulay said the "extent of the misconduct and incompetence" displayed over several years by T.J. McKeough "is staggering."

In an agreed statement of facts, McKeough admitted to 12 breaches of integrity, 27 inst…