Michael Geoffrey JOHNSTON

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

Solicitor Michael Geoffrey Johnston faced eight charges arising from trust account irregularities including improper withdrawals, misleading correspondence with the Law Society, and numerous breaches of trust accounting requirements over approximately 12 months. The Tribunal found the conduct in aggregate constituted professional misconduct but expressly noted no dishonesty or personal benefit. He was publicly reprimanded, fined $4,000, ordered to complete a trust account course and pay $2,000 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Extent of irregularities extending over a not insubstantial period (approximately 12 months)
• Poor management of an important financial system and lack of diligence across a wide series of matters

Mitigating factors:

• Indicated early he would not substantially contest the matter
• Cooperated with the Society and the Commission
• No previous adverse disciplinary finding
• Streamlined his processes with last audit confirming trust account well maintained
• No dishonesty or personal benefit sought