Humphrey Lee Mcpherson

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

The complainant, an elderly widow and executrix of her late husband's estate, retained attorney Humphrey McPherson in 1997 to obtain probate and handle estate matters. The Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council (Jamaica) found, beyond reasonable doubt, that he charged unfair fees, failed to progress and account for the business, neglected his duties, failed to follow instructions, revealed and misused client confidences, and acted for an adverse party (Ms. Francis) in conflict with the estate. He never secured probate (later obtained by another firm) and admitted holding $1,820,000 on account. No express finding of dishonesty was made. He was struck off the Roll, ordered to pay $1,820,000 plus 6% interest to the estate, and $750,000 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• Fair, reasonable and lawful fees
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Multiple serious breaches (10 canons) committed together
• Attorney acted against his former client by representing a party with conflicting interests
• Failed to give evidence in his own defence and failed to appear at the mitigation hearing despite repeated notices