RESULT: Struck off | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered July 24th, 2021.
FORMAL ORDER OF
THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL LEGAL COUNCIL
COMPLAINT NO: 199/2020
IN THE MATTER OF TINA GOLLAB and LEONARDO FERNANDO CHRISTIE an Attorney-at-Law
AND
IN THE MATTER OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION ACT, 1971
PANEL:
Mr. Trevor Ho-Lyn
Ms. Althea Jarrett, Q.C.
Ms. Delrose Campbell
DECISION DELIVERED ON THE 24TH JULY 2021
UPON THE APPLICATION made under section 12 (1) (a) of the Legal Profession Act and dated the 16th December 2020 along with supporting Affidavit sworn to on the 16th December, 2020 and coming on for hearing before the Disciplinary Committee on the 29th May 2021 and 26th June 2021,
AND UPON the Complainant Tina Gollab appearing and having given sworn evidence on oath,
AND UPON the Attorney-at-law Leonardo Fernando Christie not appearing,
AND UPON DUE CONSIDERATION of the sworn evidence of the Complainant coupled with her documentary evidence,
AND UPON the Committee finding the Attorney Leonardo Fernando Christie guilty of professional misconduct pursuant to section 12(1) (a) on the 26th June 2021,
AND UPON the Attorney having been given the opportunity to make submissions in mitigation of sanction on the 24th July 2021 and the Attorney declining to attend or make any submissions in mitigation,
THE COMMITTEE FINDS THAT:
- The Complainant engaged the services of Mr. Leonardo Fernando Christie, Attorney-at-law (“the Attorney) to handle on her behalf, a personal injury matter involving Key Insurance Company. The incident, which allegedly precipitated her personal injuries was an accident which occurred in August 2015. In July 2017, the Complainant handed over to the Attorney all her original documents in support of her claim. However, despite extensive efforts on her part to contact the Attorney since their last communication on November 21, 2019 the Complainant has been unsuccessful in doing so. Her failed efforts in this regard have led to this complaint.
In the circumstances the panel finds that the Attorney Leonardo Fernando Christie has breached Canons IV(r) & (s) 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 Respondent Attorney Leonardo Fernando Christie is struck from the Roll of Attorneys-at-law entitled to practice law in the several courts of the island of Jamaica.
- The Attorney Leonardo Fernando Christie is to pay costs in the sum of $20,000.00 to the Complainant and $20,000.00 to the General Legal Council.
Mr. Trevor Ho-Lyn
DATED 24th JULY 2021