JANET WALTON

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

The State Administrative Tribunal found Janet Walton guilty on all six references: two counts of unprofessional conduct under the 1893 Act (signing a materially incorrect certificate of independent legal advice; late delivery of a bill of costs after transferring trust money) and four counts of unsatisfactory conduct by unprofessional conduct under the 2003 Act (interfering in District Court litigation without standing; disclosing a former client's confidential information to the opposing party; issuing baseless bills of costs; and sending grossly discourteous letters to the Chief Judge). The Tribunal found her conduct utterly deplorable but expressly noted no dishonesty in the trust matter. Considering its own disciplinary powers inadequate, it suspended her from practice pending determination and transmitted a report to the Supreme Court (full bench) with a view to striking her off. She was ordered to pay costs of $15,500. Compensation could not be ordered because the Tribunal chose the referral route.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No acting against a former client
• No conflict between current clients
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Persistent repeated conduct despite adverse court findings against her
• Course of conduct described as utterly deplorable and disgraceful
• Failed to attend the final hearing despite full notice
• Continued attempts to justify conduct rather than addressing allegations
• Ignored warnings from the Complaints Committee and opposing solicitors

Mitigating factors:

• No suggestion of dishonesty or failure to account in the trust/billing matter (VR22)
• Had attended most earlier directions hearings and filed documents

⚠ figures not found verbatim in the source were dropped: ["unverified_costs_amount=15500"]