RESULT: Fined | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered July 16, 2021. || Guilty of Professional Misconduct | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered April 29, 2021.
FORMAL ORDER OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
OF THE GENERAL LEGAL COUNCIL
COMPLAINT NO: 146/2016
IN THE MATTER OF EUNICE HANSHAW and LAUREN MARIE BOYD an Attorney-at-Law
AND
IN THE MATTER OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION ACT, 1971
PANEL:
Mr. Jerome Lee
Mr. Christopher Kelman
Mr. Pierre Rogers
DECISION DELIVERED ON THE 16TH JULY 2021
UPON THE APPLICATION made under section 12 (1) (a) of the Legal Profession Act and dated the 12th April, 2016 along with supporting Affidavit sworn to on the 12th April, 2016 and coming on for hearing before the Disciplinary Committee on the 15th July 2017, 2nd December 2017, 10th February 2018, 2nd June 2018, 14th July 2018, 28th September 2018, 10th November 2018, 1st March 2019, 28th June 2019, 29th April 2021, 4th June 2021 and 2nd July 2021
AND UPON the Complainant Eunice Hanshaw appearing and having given sworn evidence on oath,
AND UPON the Attorney-at-law Lauren Marie Boyd (the Attorney) appearing and giving sworn evidence on oath,
AND UPON DUE CONSIDERATION of the sworn evidence of the Complainant and the Attorney coupled with documentary evidence,
AND UPON the Committee finding the Attorney guilty of professional misconduct on the 29th April 2021,
AND UPON the Attorney having made submissions in mitigation of sanction,
THE COMMITTEE FINDS THAT: The Attorney is guilty of professional misconduct pursuant to section 12(1)(a) of the Legal Profession Act in that:
- The Attorney agreed to represent the Complainant in bringing a claim in respect of personal injuries suffered and expenses sustained in respect of a motor vehicle accident on February 25, 2006.
- The Attorney failed to protect the Complainant’s interest in bringing a claim, fully aware of the limitation period and the impact to her client’s case if the limitation period expired without a claim being filed.
In the circumstances the Panel finds that the Attorney Lauren Marie Boyd has breached Canons IV (r) and IV(s) and 1(b) of the Legal Profession (Canons of Professional Ethics) Rules.
PURSUANT TO THE FOREGOING FINDINGS THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY HEREBY ORDERED THAT: –
Pursuant to Section 12 (4) of the Legal Profession Act:
- The Attorney, Lauren Marie Boyd to pay a fine of $300,150.00 to the General Legal Council within 30th days of this Order.
- This fine is to be paid in full to the Complainant in full satisfaction of any damage caused her by the Attorney’s misconduct.
- The Attorney to pay costs of $100,000.00 of which $40,000.00 is to be paid to the Complainant and $60,000.00 to the General Legal Council.
Dated 16th July 2021
Mr. Jerome Lee
Chairman of Panel