Horace Algernon Gray

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

The Disciplinary Committee found that Mr. Horace Gray acted as attorney for both the Complainant and the Vendor in a land sale, and that the Complainant reasonably believed he was representing her. He prepared an Agreement for Sale that omitted the acreage and price-per-acre despite knowing the land was believed to be 10 acres sold at $32,500/acre; the land turned out to be only about 4 acres. He failed to investigate the Vendor's title, failed to stamp the Agreement, paid out purchase money before the survey, and did nothing to advance the transaction. Grounds (a), (b) and the accounting ground failed. He was found guilty of professional misconduct under Canon IV(r) (lack of due expedition) and Canon IV(s) (deplorable negligence). No express finding of dishonesty was made. He was fined J$400,000 and ordered to pay J$50,000 costs to the Complainant.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Serious and considerable loss suffered by the Complainant, who ended up with land (approx 4 acres instead of 10) useless for her intended coffee farming
• Degree of neglect; no title or application for title obtained even up to conclusion of evidence
• Failed to make clear he was not her attorney despite representing both parties in a conflict situation