RESULT: Fined, Restitution Ordered | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered March 12, 2024 | Guilty of Professional Misconduct | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered February 09, 2024.
FORMAL ORDER OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
OF THE GENERAL LEGAL COUNCIL MADE ON COMPLAINT
COMPLAINT NO: 171/2022 & 172/2022
IN THE MATTER OF BURNETT LINTON AND MOREEN LINTON and DEBBY-ANN SAMUELS an Attorney-at-Law
AND
IN THE MATTER OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION ACT, 1971
PANEL:
Mr. Peter Champagnie, KC – Chairman
Miss Katherine P.C. Francis
Mrs. Nadine Guy
DECISION DELIVERED ON THE 12TH MARCH 2024
UPON THE APPLICATIONS made under section 12 (1) (a) of the Legal Profession Act and dated the 7th November 2022 and 5th November 2022 along with supporting Affidavits sworn to on the 7th November 2022 and 7th November 2022 respectively and coming on for hearing before the Disciplinary Committee on 30th June, 2023, 28th July 2023, 3rd November 2023, 26th January 2024 & 9th February 2024,
AND UPON the Complainants Burnett Linton & Moreen Linton, (herein-after called “the Complainants”) appearing,
AND UPON the Complainant Moreen Linton having given evidence on oath,
AND UPON the Attorney-at-law Debby-Ann Samuels, (herein-after called “the Attorney”) appearing and having given evidence on oath,
AND UPON DUE CONSIDERATION of the sworn evidence of the Complainant, and the Attorney together with documentary evidence,
AND UPON the Committee finding the Attorney guilty of professional misconduct pursuant to section 12(1) (a) of the Legal Profession Act on 9th February 2024,
AND UPON the Attorney making submissions to the Panel in mitigation,
THE COMMITTEE FINDS THAT:
The Attorney has breached Canons IV(r) (s) and l(b) of the Legal Profession (Canons of Professional Ethics) Rules.
THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY HEREBY ORDERS THAT: –
Pursuant to Section 12 (4) of the Legal Profession Act:
- The Attorney, Debby-Ann Samuels, is to pay restitution in the sum of US$6,037.00 on or before 15th March 2024.
- The Attorney is to pay costs to the Complainants in the sum of $100,000.00 on or before 30th April 2024.
- The Attorney, Debby-Ann Samuels, to pay fine to the General Legal Council in the sum of $100,000.00 to the Complainants on or before 30th April 2024.
DATED 12TH MARCH 2024
Mr. Peter Champagnie KC (Chairman)