Noel S. Williams

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

The attorney had carriage of sale for 72 acres of farmland in Portland, Jamaica, acting for the vendor. The complainant purchasers paid a deposit of $1,383,479.72 (including legal costs) in 1994. The attorney failed to secure the required survey, never obtained a registered title, never completed the sale (over six years past the completion date), never accounted for or refunded the deposit, never paid the vendor, and ignored repeated requests for information. Hearing proceeded in the attorney's absence. The Committee found him guilty of professional misconduct for inexcusable/inordinate delay, inexcusable and deplorable negligence (Canon 4(s)), and conduct discrediting the profession (Canon 1(b)). He was struck from the Roll and ordered to pay restitution of $1,383,469.72 plus $50,000 costs. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Handle inadvertently received material

Aggravating factors:

• Inordinate delay of over six years past completion date
• Failure to respond to any letters from complainants and vendor's family
• Failure to account for or refund the deposit
• No appearance and no explanation for absence at hearing