Bold move by attorney Champagnie

Dear Editor,

I want to commend Peter Champagnie for a recent letter to the editor on lawyers and the legal profession. In my recollection, this is the first time that any lawyer has spoken out on matters of this nature.

For too long some lawyers have been fleecing returning residents of their hard-earned cash. I will go further in saying that lawyers who have been charged by the Fraud Squad should remove themselves from any further representation in court in order that the court case is not compromised until their case has been settled. Such an act would validate this body who is "entrusted with the responsibility of defending and protecting the rights of citizens".

Champagnie rightly reminds lawyers of the imperative of upholding the canons of the profession. Some lawyers have also been guilty of taking millions of dollars from clients for the purchase of property. Lawyers are not banks, and therefore funds should remain in the bank and duly paid out as required by law. At the conclusion of the transaction of sale, the purchaser should ensure that the title has been duly transferred in their name.

I also commend the General Legal Council on their vigilance to keep the profession clean from corrupt and unscrupulous people.

Percival LaTouche

President

Jamaica Association for the Resettlement of Returning Residents

latouche.percival@gmail.com

Bold move by attorney Champagnie

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