Evol W. Lyn-Cook

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

The Attorney had carriage of sale and also acted for the Complainant/purchaser on a 1992 land purchase. The Attorney failed to stamp the Agreement for Sale until 2002 (10 years late), failed to obtain sub-division approval (which the Complainant had to procure himself), and caused excessive delay in obtaining the duplicate certificate of title. The transaction remained incomplete after years of adjournments. The Committee found the Attorney guilty of professional misconduct for breach of Canon IV(r) and (s), amounting to inexcusable and deplorable negligence. No finding of dishonesty was made. The Attorney was fined J$350,000 (entire fine directed to the Complainant as compensation) and ordered to pay US$590 in costs (airfare).

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Extreme and excessive delay (Agreement for Sale not stamped for 10 years)
• Complainant forced to additional expense to retain surveyor and another attorney to obtain sub-division approval
• Failure to attend final hearing without explanation
• Failure to provide written report to the Committee as requested