GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 4449

PURSUANT to section 53 (9) of the Advocates Act and 12 (1) of the Advocates (Complaints Commission) Rules, 1991, it is notified for general information that between 1st January, 2008 and 31st March, 2008, the Complaints Commission received a total of one hundred and forty-one (141) new complaints out of which fifty-five (55) were clasSified and files opened. Two hundred and thirteen (213) were submitted for further enquiry under preliminary enquiry initiative. The nature of new complaints is as shown below: Nature of complaints Number of complaints Failure to account Failure to keep client informed Failure to render professional services Overcharging Withholding funds Issuing dishonoured cheques Conduct unbecoming of an advocate Misleading client TOTAL 55 Complaints filed against advocates/firms of advocates were disposed of in the following manner: Classified complaints Number of complaints Abandoned 9 Settled 9 Closed: No misconduct 24 Dismissed 2 TOTAL 44 Preliminary enquiry (PE) complaints: Total number of preliminary enquiry (PE) complaints were eighty - six (86). Total number of complaints settled under preliminary enquiry (PE) were eighty-two (82). , The matters referred to the Disciplinary Committee (DC) during the same period for further action in accordance with section 57 (1) of the Advocates Act were thirty-eight (38). During the same period a further forty-four (44) cases were disposed of as follows: Number of complaints Advocates struck off the Roll of advocates Advocates suspended Advocates fined Advocates acquitted Settled (matter resolved) Admonished TOTAL 44 In pursuance to section 53 (4) and in the spirit of section 53 (5) of the Adv-ocates Act fourteen (14) complaints were settled amicably at the Advocates Complaints Commission. Dated the 31st March, 2008: JOSEPH KING' ARM, Chairman, Complaints Commission