Paul I. Miller

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

Attorney Paul Miller was retained to purchase two lots and obtain titles for the complainant Ernel Cousins, taking payment of purchase monies and legal fees. After 26 years (Lot 2) and 10 years (Lot 1) the transactions remained incomplete, no titles were provided, and the attorney had not communicated with the client for over two years. The Panel found breaches of Canons IV(o),(r) and (s) constituting professional misconduct under Canon VIII. No express finding of dishonesty was made. The attorney was ordered to deliver specified conveyancing documents within 21 days, pay any outstanding stamp duty/transfer tax with penalties, and pay costs of $50,000, failing which he would be suspended for 6 months and then struck off if still non-compliant.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Failed to complete transactions after 26 years (Lot 2) and 10 years (Lot 1)
• Failed to communicate with client for over two years
• Did not attend the hearing or provide any explanation for the delay
• Client left as purchaser in possession without title and having paid most of purchase price