APPEAL COURT DECISIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1917, Page 1

APPEAL COURT DECISIONS.

LUNDON STRUCK OFF. [per PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON December 10. The Appeal Court in giving judgment in an application to strike J. R. London off the roll of solicitors, considered London must have known Fletcher’s condition was not normal, when he agreed to pay £IOO for obtaining a release from the bank. He should have acquainted Fletcher with the fact that the Bank would not release money which was on fixed deposit until the expiry of the term. The Court was satisfied that Loudon had offended by not making this known also that the charge of £IOO was not justified by,the service rendered.

The Court was forced to the conclusion that no reliance could he placed on London’s statement that an agreement existed, whereby the payment ot £IOO was to cover all work connected with obtaining the deposit from the tßanks for Fletcher. His conduct was such that the Court must make an absolute, rule nisi, striking London off the roll of barristers and solicitors with costs to the said Society on the middle scale as from a distance. bbatsd suspended FOB THREE years. WELLINGTON December 10. The Appeal Court gave judgment in the application to strike W. G. Beard of ITastorton off the roll on the ground of professional misconduct alleged in dealing with the Rangi Nerehama and that knowing the latter’s improvident nature, he had not properly yadvised him.

The Court found the charges established and considered though lie could not he charged with having made separate profit it- was clear lie had profited at the expense of his client. The whole record of legal work done showed Ranji’s interest, wa s not considered hut the interests of Chemiets and Beard occupied the foremost place, so that- the land owned by Rangi could he acquired by relatives of Beard and Chemiets. Not until after the property was dealt with and the leases arranged without reference to-Ranji’s interest, wa s the latter advised to get independent legal advice to see all was in order. The Court must conclude Beard had failed in his duty. That recognised his that ho had been in ill health and had made reparation hut must, exercise disciplinary power costs on the highest scale, suspension to operate from the end of February next.