Lorraine Earle

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Attorney was retained in 1993 to handle a JMD 700,000 property purchase and received JMD 728,000 from the complainant, but failed to pay the vendor, who resold the property. The Attorney misappropriated the funds, later repaying only JMD 330,000, leaving JMD 398,000 outstanding. The Panel found the complaint established beyond reasonable doubt: the Attorney failed to account for and misappropriated client funds. She was struck off the Roll, ordered to pay restitution of JMD 1,367,162.74 (principal plus interest at 12%) with continuing interest, and JMD 20,000 costs. Although the decision describes misappropriation, no express finding of dishonesty was stated.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Misappropriation of client funds entrusted for a specific purpose
• Client lost the property as a consequence
• Substantial balance remained unpaid
• Attorney failed to appear at the hearing

Mitigating factors:

• Partial repayment of JMD 330,000 made between November 2001 and August 2002