RESULT: Repayment ordered, Already struck off | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered July 06, 2011.
FORMAL ORDER OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OF
THE GENERAL LEGAL COUNCIL MADE ON COMPLAINT
NO. 63 of 2009
IN THE MATTER OF HYACINTH P. ROSE vs ANTONNETTE HAUGHTON-CARDENAS
AND
IN THE MATTER OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION ACT 1971
PANEL:
ALLAN S. WOOD, Q.C.
MRS. DANIELLA GENTLES-SILVERA
WALTER SCOTT
DECISION DELIVERED ON THE 6th JULY 2011
UPON THE APPLICATION dated 23rd April 2009, made under section 12(1) of the Legal Profession Act coming on for hearing before the Disciplinary Committee on the 6th July 2011.
AND UPON The Complainant, Hyacinth P. Rose, appearing and having given evidence on oath.
AND UPON The Attorney, Antonnette Haughton-Cardenas, not appearing
AND UPON DUE CONSIDERATION of the evidence of Hyacinth Rose
THE COMMITTEE FINDS the Attorney is guilty of professional misconduct in that Mrs. Antonnette Haughton-Cardenas acted for the Complainant in a suit against Northern Caribbean University for wrongful dismissal and defamation. The Defendant paid to Mrs. Haughton-Cardenas the sum of $2,600,000.00 by cheque dated 18th April 2008, which was lodged on the 22nd April 2008. Mrs. Haughton-Cardenas failed to pay over the sum collected or any part thereof as she was required to do and she failed to account to the Complainant for her money when she was reasonably required to do so in breach of Canon VII (b) of the Canon of Professional Ethics Rules.
Mrs. Antonnette Haughton-Cardenas would have been struck off for the act of professional misconduct but for the fact that she has already been struck from the roll.
PURSUANT TO THE FOREGOING FINDINGS, THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY HEREBY ORDERED THAT:-
Pursuant to s12(4) of the Legal Profession Act;
- Mrs. Antonnette Haughton-Cardenas is to pay to the Complainant, Hyacinth Rose the sum of $2,600,000.00, together with interest thereon at the rate of 10% per annum from the 22nd April 2008 to the date of payment.
- Mrs. Antonnette Haughton-Cardenas is to pay costs to the Complainant in the sum of $20,000.00.
DATED: 25th July 2011
ALLAN S. WOOD, Q.C.
CHAIRMAN OF THE PANEL