Emmanuel Chukwubiko Abaraonye

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

A sole practitioner trading as Stuart A West & Co was struck off after the Law Society intervened in his practice in February 1992. The Tribunal found four substantiated allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor: practising in breach of the Solicitors Accounts Rules despite notice of intervention powers, failing to ensure proper supervision of his office, failing to pay counsel's fees, and failing to supervise an unadmitted staff member (Mr O) who handled conveyancing/matrimonial matters where the firm acted for a client (Mr F) who disposed of property in breach of a High Court injunction. The respondent did not appear and had left the country. He was struck off and ordered to pay costs of £2,512 inclusive. Although the firm's conduct involving the court and Land Registry was found unacceptable, the Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty against the respondent.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Supervise staff and delegated work
• Pay instructed practitioners and agents
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Respondent did not reply to repeated correspondence from the Bureau and the Bar Council
• Respondent left the country without regard to the outstanding disciplinary allegations
• Did not appear and was not represented at the hearing