J. Vernon (Jonathan) Ricketts
Allegation / charges
Struck off, Restitution Ordered | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered July 22, 2006. View PDF DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL LEGAL COUNCILCOMPLAINT NO. 128/2005 In the Matter of FREDERICK MORRIS, MADGE MORRIS AND FREMADER AGENCIES LIMITED and …
Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision
The Attorney was retained to obtain subdivision approval, splinter titles, and transfer nine lots to purchasers. By February 2003 he had received $2,077,810.00 for stamp duty, registration fees and costs, but failed for over three years to effect any transfers, to account for the funds, or to hand over the monies and files to the clients' new attorneys despite repeated written and verbal requests. The Committee found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered him struck off, with restitution and costs.
Duties found breached:
- No taking unfair advantage
- Uphold public trust in the profession
- No conflict between current clients
- Prompt accounting and return of money
Aggravating factors:
- Large sum ($2,077,810) held for over three years impressed with a trust and not used for its intended purpose
- Repeated failure to respond to clients and to attend/postponed meetings
- Failure to comply with written and verbal instructions to hand over monies and files
- Severe embarrassment caused to the complainants
- Failed to take advantage of multiple adjournments to respond or make good
Duties engaged
- Honesty
- No taking unfair advantage
- Personal probity and fitness to practise
- Uphold public trust in the profession
- Disclose material information to client
- Keep client informed and respond promptly
- No conflict between current clients
- Prompt accounting and return of money
- Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
- Competence
- Diligence and timeliness
- Firm governance, systems and compliance
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Documents
Source: https://www.generallegalcouncil.org/judgement/j-vernon-jonathan-ricketts-complaint-no-128-of-2005/