Ivor George Peynado

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

The attorney administered the estate of the late Leopold Pedley. After the testator died on 9 July 2005, the attorney inserted dates (27 July 2005, 15 September 2005 and 24 October 2006) on previously undated/signed Instruments of Transfer, thereby making documents that told a lie about themselves since the transferor was already deceased and probate was not granted until 9 January 2007. The Panel, applying the criminal standard of proof, found the attorney guilty of breaching Canons I(b), I(c), III(f), V(n) and V(o), concluding the conduct amounted to culpable non-performance and the making/uttering of false documents. Although the Panel relied heavily on the Forgery Act definitions, it made no express finding using the word 'dishonesty.' Sanction was deferred to a separate hearing per Clunie.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act only on proper, lawful instructions
• No conflict between current clients