Paul I. Miller

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

Complainant Ernel Cousins retained attorney Paul Miller to handle the purchase of two adjoining lots (Lot 2 in 1978 and Lot 1 in 1995) at Mickleton District, Saint Catherine, and to obtain titles. Despite payment of deposits/purchase monies and legal fees, the attorney failed to complete the transactions, never delivered titles, and ceased communicating with the client for over two years. The attorney did not attend the hearing. The Panel found breaches of Canons IV(o), (r) and (s), constituting professional misconduct under Canon VIII. No express finding of dishonesty was made. The attorney was ordered to deliver the conveyancing documents and a statement of account within 21 days, pay any outstanding stamp duty/transfer tax with penalties, and pay $50,000 costs, with non-compliance leading to a 6-month suspension and eventual striking off.

Duties found breached:

• Act only on proper, lawful instructions
• No conflict between current clients
• No taking unfair advantage

Aggravating factors:

• Failure to complete transactions over 26 years (Lot 2) and 10 years (Lot 1)
• No communication with client for over two years
• No reason offered for the delay
• Failed to attend the hearing