RESULT: Suspended, Restitution Ordered | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered December 15, 1999.
FORMAL ORDER OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
OF THE GENERAL LEGAL COUNCIL MADE ON COMPLAINT
No. 101 of 1994
IN THE MATTER OF ALTON JOHNSON vs SONIA JONES ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
AND
IN THE MATTER OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION ACT
PANEL
MRS. P. BENKA-COKER Q.C.-CHAIRMAN
MISS NORMA LINTON, Q.C.
MR. ALLAN WOOD
DECISION DELIVERED – 15th DECEMBER, 1999
UPON THE APPLICATION dated 9th January 1995 made under section 12(1)(A) of the Legal Profession Act coming on for hearing before the Disciplinary Committee on March 6, April 10, June 12, July 3, July 31, September 25, October 23, 1999 and December 15, 1999.
AND UPON the Complainant Alton Johnson appearing and having given evidence on oath
AND UPON the attorney-at-law Sonia Jones appearing and having given evidence on oath
AND UPON DUE CONSIDERATION of the evidence of Mr. Alton Johnson and the evidence of Miss Sonia Jones and the submissions of Mr. Alton Johnson and Mr. Donald Scharshmidt, Q.C.
THE COMMITTEE FINDS that the attorney-at-law Miss Sonia Jones is guilty of Misconduct in a professional respect
PURSUANT TO THE FOREGOING FINDINGS, THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
- Pursuant to s 12(4)(a) of the Legal Profession Act the Respondent is suspended from practice for a period of 9 months commencing from the date of this Order
- Pursuant to s 12 (4)(c) of the Legal Profession Act, the respondent is to pay the sum of $150,000.00 by way of restitution, such sum to be collected by the General Legal Council and paid over to the Complainant.
- The Respondent is to pay the complainant’s costs in the sum of$15,000.
These orders are made under section 12(4) of the Legal Profession Act.
Dated 15th Day of December, 1999
PAMELA BENKA-COKER Q.C.
CHAIRMAN OF PANEL