Emmanuel Chukwubiko Abaraonye

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

Emmanuel Chukwubiko Abaraonye, admitted 1978 and sole practitioner trading as Stuart A West & Co, faced four allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor: breaching the Solicitors Accounts Rules despite intervention notice, failing to properly supervise his office, failing to pay counsel's fees, and failing to supervise an unadmitted staff member (Mr O). The Law Society intervened in the practice in February 1992. Related conduct included the firm acting for both parties in a conveyance and taking steps to transfer a client's property in breach of a High Court injunction, while allegedly being fixed with knowledge of the injunction, and failing to disclose to Natwest that it acted for the vendor. The respondent did not appear. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated, described his behaviour as entirely unacceptable, struck him off the Roll and ordered £2,512 costs. No express finding of dishonesty against the respondent was recorded.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Supervise staff and delegated work
• Report serious misconduct of others
• Honour professional undertakings
• Pay instructed practitioners and agents

Aggravating factors:

• Failed to respond to numerous letters from the Bureau
• Left the country without regard for the outstanding disciplinary allegations
• Did not appear or respond to the proceedings
• Firm's conduct involved misleading the court and the Land Registry and acting in bad faith towards Mrs F