Sheldon Codner

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

The Complainants engaged Attorney Sheldon Codner to act on their purchase of land in Mandeville for JMD $27,000,000. They paid him a total of $25,197,000 to be forwarded to the vendor's attorneys Samuda & Johnson. The Attorney paid over only $4,097,000, failed to pay the remaining $21,100,000 and failed to refund it when demanded, instead producing a defective cheque. The panel found beyond reasonable doubt that he misappropriated the funds and acted dishonestly. He was found guilty of professional misconduct (breach of Canons VII(b)(ii) and I(b)) and struck off the Roll, with orders for restitution of $12,100,000 plus interest and costs of $50,000.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Misappropriation of $21,100,000 in trust funds
• Deliberately wrote a defective cheque to prevent it being paid
• Sent client file to another attorney without consent
• Severe prejudice to clients' interests and breach of trust
• Failed to attend or respond to proceedings
• Facing criminal charges for fraudulent conversion