MISAPPROPRIATED MONEYS
\ . REFUND TO CLIENTS. SOLICITORS’ FIDELITY GUARANTEE. NEW PLYAIOITTH, June 10.
In connection with the sentencing of Harold John Motile Thomson, formerly solicitor, of Inglewood, and his clerk, Samuel Robert Darlow in the Supreme Court, after having been found'guilty of breaches of trust involving nearly £BOOO, Air L. M. Moss, who represented Thomson, made reference to the fact that solicitors had voluntarily undertaken the protection of clients by the creation of the fidelity guarantee fund.
Counsel first said it was regrettable that Thomson had not followed the course anticipated by his counsel and pleaded guilty. His reason for altering his intention was due to the fact that he was jointly charged with Darlow and it came to his knowledge that certain extraneous matters might be introduced at the trial in respect of which he wished to be in a position toreply, if necessary. “The fund, although established only last year will I understand contribute a sum cf between £7OOO aml £BOOO in this case to reimburse clients whose funds llftvqc been misappropriated, llie whole of the moneys which have been misappropriated since January 1, 1030 are being refunded by the solicitors’ guarantee fund. This fund is established and. maintained by the solicitots themselves, and the public now know that all funds entrusted by them to solicitors are absolutely protected, as adequate pro\ ision is made for the fund to be maintained at a figure to cover any claims which are made upon it. When it is realised that there are nearly 1500 solicitors practising in New Zealand it will be recognised that the proportion which goes astray is very small.
“Unfortunately when a solicitor does go astray the utmost publicity is given to the fact, and the profession, as a whole, incurs odium and suffers in consequence. The profession by instituting this guarantee fund and by its insisting on a stricter system of audit, has taken steps to give the public full protection in the future.”
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Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1931, Page 2
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327MISAPPROPRIATED MONEYS Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1931, Page 2
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