Veteran lawyer says the ‘horrible situation’ unmasks a system that is ‘not reliable’
By Julius Melnitzer | September 1, 2022
A Law Society Tribunal has refused to allow Jeremy Diamond to withdraw his admissions of professional misconduct, despite rejecting a joint submission that the panel impose a reprimand as a penalty for his impugned activities.
“We conclude that an admission of professional misconduct that is voluntary, unequivocal and informed may not be withdrawn where a joint penalty submission is rejected,” the panel stated.
But Bill Trudell of William Trudell Professional Corporation, a highly-respected criminal lawyer and veteran of numerous disciplinary proceedings before the Law Society of Ontario, expresses concern about the process.
“Without commenting on the merits of the decision or throwing out legal principles, it’s very concerning that the system works in a way that amounts to a gamble for the parties. It’s not reliable. Why can’t we just tell people what’s going to happen by way of bringing transparency to and building trust in the process?”
Read more here . . .
Julius Melnitzer is a Toronto-based legal affairs writer, ghostwriter, writing coach and media trainer. Readers can reach him at [email protected] or https://legalwriter.net/contact.
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