Solicitor Disciplinary Tribunal Decisions

Introduction

Welcome to the Irish Claims Board’s solicitor disciplinary records page. We believe that understanding solicitor conduct is crucial for anyone navigating the claims process. Remember, the Irish Claims Board offers a free assessment on claims—we should be your first port of call before engaging a solicitor. Our expert team is here to provide clear, unbiased advice, empowering you to make informed decisions without cost or commitment. This page highlights disciplinary records to help you stay aware of solicitor conduct and choose trustworthy professionals when needed.

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Details for Liam M O’Brien

Name

Liam M O’Brien

Address

Liam O’Brien, 21 Quinsboro Road, Bray, Co Wicklow

Date of Order

15/10/2018

Decision

In the matter of Liam M O’Brien, a solicitor formerly practising as Liam O’Brien, 21 Quinsboro Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2015 [3508/DT140/12; 3508/DT01/15; High Court record 2018 no 74 SA]

Law Society of Ireland (applicant)

Liam M O’Brien (respondent solicitor)

On 9 November 2017, in an application bearing record no 3508/DT01/15, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of misconduct in his practice as a solicitor in that he:

1)   Caused or allowed a deficit on the client account in the sum of €426,080 as at 5 July 2012,

2)   Failed to maintain proper books of account and such relevant supporting documents as would enable client moneys handled and dealt with by the solicitor to be duly recorded and the entries relevant thereto in the books of account to be appropriately vouched, in breach of regulation 12(1) of the Solicitors Accounts Regulations 2001,

3)   Caused or allowed a debit balance to arise on the client side of client ledger account due to unidentified transactions of €234,682 as at 5 July 2012, in breach of regulation 7(2)(a) of the Solicitors Accounts Regulations,

4)   Caused or allowed a debit balance to arise on the client side of the client ledger account of Liam M O’Brien in the sum of €151,041 as at 5 July 2012, in breach of regulation 7(2)(a) of regulations,

5)   Caused or allowed a debit balance to arise on the client side of the client ledger account of a named client in the sum of €19,302 as at 5 July 2012, in breach of regulation 7(2)(a),

6)   Caused or allowed a debit balance to arise on the client side of the client ledger account of a named client in the sum of €12,936 as at 5 July 2012, in breach of regulation 7(2)(a),

7)   Through his conduct, obstructed and delayed the Society’s investigation into his books of account and the true financial status of his practice, in breach of regulation 12(2) of the regulations.

In a separate application bearing record no 3508/DT140/12, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of misconduct in his practice as a solicitor in that he failed to ensure that there was furnished to the Society an accountant’s report for the year ended 31 December 2010 within six months of that date, in breach of regulation 21(1) of the Solicitors Accounts Regulations 2001.

The tribunal ordered that the matters should go forward to the High Court and, on 15 October 2018, the High Court ordered that the name of the respondent solicitor be struck from the Roll of Solicitors.