Carlton H. Campbell

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

Complainants engaged Mr. Carlton Campbell to handle a land purchase in St. Elizabeth. Though paid fees and funds for stamp duty, transfer tax and registration, Campbell failed to pay the duties and falsely told the clients the duties had been paid, causing them to incur a penalty and additional expense. The Disciplinary Committee found him in breach of Canon IV(r) for failing to act with due expedition and for giving untruthful information. No express finding of dishonesty was recorded. He was ordered to pay $61,810 (restitution, part refund of fees and costs) and a fine of $50,000, split between the complainants and the Council, with a 3-month suspension to take effect if payment was not made by 30 November 2001.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Failure to pay stamp duties caused clients to incur a large penalty ($49,410)
• Provided false information that duties had been paid
• Caused additional expense and inconvenience to clients
• Repeated failure to attend hearings

Mitigating factors:

• Refunded $50,500 for transfer tax, stamp duties and registration fees
• Paid $4,000 costs previously ordered
• Undertook to contribute any additional fees or duties arising on the title application