Claire Keaney

Allegation / charges

In the matter of Claire Keaney, a solicitor previously practising as Keaney & Company, Solicitors, at PO box 42, Pearse Park, Dundalk, Co Louth, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [7372/DT53/15, DT54/15, DT55/15, DT56/15, and High Court record 2016 no 127 SA] Law Society of Ireland (applicant) Claire Keaney (respondent solicitor) On 19 April 2016, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal heard four complaints against the above solicitor and delivered a decision in relation to each of those complaints on 25 May 2016. 7372/DT53/15 The tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of misconduct in her practice as a solicitor in that, up to the date of referral to the tribunal, she: 1) Failed to stamp and register her client’s title to a property in Co Meath, purchased in July 2013, in a timely manner or at all, 2) Failed to respond to the Society’s correspondence and, in particular, the Society’s letters of 14 April 2014, 1 May 2014, 13 May 2014 and 25 June 2014 in a timely manner, within the time provided, or at all, 3) Failed to comply with the direction made by the Complaints and Client Relations Committee at its meeting on 22 July 2014 that she furnish a written update to the Society no later than 1 September 2014. 7372/DT54/15 The tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of misconduct in her practice as a solicitor in that, up to the date of referral to the tribunal, she: 1) Failed to stamp and register her clients title to the property in Co Kilkenny, purchased in 2011, in a timely manner or at all, 2) Failed to comply with the direction made at the meeting of the Complaints and Client Relations Committee on 22 July 2014 that she furnish a full response to the Society, including a copy of the transfer deed, her ledger card, and any other relevant documentation on or before 1 September 2014. 7372/DT55/15 The tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of misconduct in her practice as a solicitor in that she: 1) Failed to complete the stamping and registration of her client’s title and that of her client’s nephew and his wife to property in Tallaght, Dublin 24, having been instructed to do same and paid for doing same on 4 July 2008, in a timely manner or at all, 2) Failed to respond to the Society’s correspondence dated 28 May 2014, 13 June 2014, 30 June 2014, and 29 July 2014 in a timely manner, within the time provided, or at all, 3) Failed to comply with the direction made by the Complaints and Client Relations Committee at its meeting on 22 July 2014 that she furnish specific documentation to the committee on or before 1 September 2014. 7372/DT56/15 The tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of misconduct in her practice as a solicitor in that she: 1) Failed to stamp and register her clients’ title to property in Co Kilkenny, purchased in 2011, in a timely manner or at all, 2) Failed to comply with the direction of the Complaints and Client Relations Committee made at its meeting on 29 July 2014 that she respond to the Society on or before 12 August 2014, 3) Continues to withhold moneys paid to her by her clients to stamp and register her clients’ title deeds. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal referred the matter to the High Court and, in proceedings entitled 2016 no 127 SA on 17 October 2016, the High Court made orders that: 1) The respondent solicitor’s name be struck off the Roll of Solicitors, 2) The respondent solicitor pay the whole of the costs of the Society, to be taxed by a taxing master of the High Court in default of agreement - execution and registration of the said costs order to be stayed for a period of nine months.

Duties engaged

• No improper communication with the court
• Complaints procedure and handling
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Documents

No documents recorded.