Debby-Ann Samuels

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

The Complainant retained the Respondent in 2017 to add her name to a title registered in her cousin's name, with an agreed fee of $80,000 and a stated 6-month timeline. The Complainant paid $183,300 total ($104,000 in fees—an overpayment—and $79,300 for taxes). The Respondent sought to increase fees, which the Complainant rebuffed, and on her own admission deliberately delayed the transaction because the desired payments were not forthcoming. After approximately 7 years the Complainant's name was still not registered on the title. The Committee accepted the Complainant as a witness of truth and found the Respondent guilty of professional misconduct, finding the delay inordinate and inexcusable. The Committee fined the Respondent $300,000 payable to the General Legal Council and ordered costs of $100,000 ($75,000 to the Complainant, $25,000 to the GLC). No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Delay of approximately 7 years against a stated 6-month timeline, deemed inordinate and inexcusable
• Respondent deliberately delayed the transaction because desired additional payments were not forthcoming
• Complainant overpaid fees ($104,000 against agreed $80,000)

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent confirmed the parameters of the retainer as outlined by the Complainant
• Pandemic was a contributing factor to delay