Mr Barton, a partner at Anderson Lloyd, was named in the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care — a 3000-page, nine-part document which was made public on Wednesday.
In a statement from the University of Otago, a spokeswoman said Mr Barton had decided to take a leave of absence from the university council while complaints were before the law society.
"Council accepts Mr Barton’s decision to take leave," she said.
According to the Royal Commission report, former Presbyterian Support Otago chief executive Gillian Bremner made the decision to destroy records after seeking "informal advice" from Mr Barton.
In a statement, New Zealand Law Society vice-president David Campbell said the society confirmed on Friday that Mr Barton would take a leave of absence from his position as president, while any complaints were addressed.
"Mr Barton holds the work and the role of the law society in high regard and does not wish the ongoing public interest in his previous governance role at Presbyterian Support Otago to be a distraction."
Attorney-general Judith Collins has reminded state and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records.
Last week, amid revelations Presbyterian Support Otago destroyed records linked to historic abuse, she said destroying records could have serious implications.
"Anyone destroying documents because they believe they could be used as evidence of a crime may be committing an offence and could be prosecuted," she said.
