RESULT: Application for Suspension of Order Refused | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered June 23, 2020. || Guilty of Professional Misconduct | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered October 12, 2019. || Struck off | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered June 18, 2020.
DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
OF THE GENERAL LEGAL COUNCIL
COMPLAINT NO: 10/2016
| BETWEEN | THE VICTORIA MUTUAL BUILDING SOCIETY (RICHARD POWELL) | COMPLAINANT |
| AND | WILLIAM ANTHONY PEARSON | RESPONDENT |
PANEL:
Walter H. Scott Q.C.
Charles E. Piper Q.C.
Michael Thomas
Hearing Dates
27 November 2019
5 December 2019 (postponed)
18 December 2019
23 January 2020
7 March 2020
June 18, 2020 (By Video Link — Zoom)
Representation
The Complainant was represented by Mr. Jonathan Morgan instructed by DunnCox. The Respondent was represented by Mr. Garth McBean QC.
Ruling on Application for Suspension of Order
We delivered our decision on sanction in this matter on June 18, 2020. At the conclusion Counsel for the Respondent, Mr. Garth McBean QC, applied to the panel for an order that we suspend the filing of our order for a period of 30 to 45 days on the grounds that:
- This would permit him and/or the Respondent time to determine whether there is to be an appeal; and
- The additional time would permit the Respondent to wind up his
Counsel relied on Regulation 19(d) of the Fourth Schedule to the Legal Profession Act.
We took time to consider the application and, upon resuming, Counsel was advised by the panel that Regulation 19(d) had been repealed by section 8 of the Legal Profession Amendment Act 2007. Thereafter, Mr. McBean withdrew the application.
However, by letter dated June 18, 2020 to the Secretary, Mr. McBean QC recorded his conversation with the Secretary by which he drew attention to section 12A (1) of the Amendment Act which empowers the panel to suspend its order.
As a result, we have revisited the matter and hereby refuse the application that we suspend the order made herein on June 18, 2020, on the ground that no sufficient reason has been shown as to why we should do so.
Dated 23rd June, 2020
Walter H. Scott Q.C.
Charles E. Piper Q.C.
Michael Thomas