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.

Back to listDetails for Imelda Leahy
Name
Imelda Leahy
Address
Imelda Leahy and Company, Solicitors, Kilree Street, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow
Date of Order
20/07/2018
Decision
 
In  the matter of Imelda Leahy, a solicitor formerly practising as Imelda Leahy and  Company, Solicitors, Kilree Street, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, and in the matter  of an application by the Law Society of Ireland to the Solicitors Disciplinary  Tribunal, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [8250/DT42/16;  8250/DT43/16; 8250/DT46/16; 2017/DT09; 2017/DT70;  and High Court record 2018/69SA]
Law  Society of Ireland (applicant)
Imelda  Leahy (respondent solicitor)
On 22 June 2018, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found the respondent  solicitor guilty of misconduct in her practice as a solicitor in that she:
8250/DT42/16
1)   Acted in  a manner unbecoming to a solicitor by sending texts and correspondence to her  client that were unprofessional, offensive, and inappropriate, thereby bringing  the solicitors’ profession into disrepute,
2)   Failed  to release the balance of funds due to the complainant in a timely manner,
3)   Failed  to comply with the direction of the Complaints and Client Relations Committee  made on 28 July 2015 within the time specified,
4)   Failed  to notify the complainant in a timely manner or at all of the significant  increase in the level of fees,
5)   Misled  the Society by indicating that the section 68 letter issued on 3 March 2015 was  a forgery, notwithstanding the letter of 20 April 2015 to the client that referred  to the fees sent out in the section 68 letter,
6)   Misled  her client by letters dated 20, 22 and 25 May 2015 and text dated 19 May 2015,  which stated that she had requested the bank’s solicitor to send the surplus  funds to the client and that it was the bank’s solicitor who had erroneously  paid the money into the respondent solicitor’s account, when in fact it was the  respondent solicitor who instructed that the surplus be sent to her account,
7)   Expressly  or by implication misled the Society by claiming that a named person drafted  the quote for €1,500 and that she did not agree with this sum, notwithstanding  her letter to the complainant of 20 April 2015,
8)   Made  threats to her client by suggesting that she would report him to the Revenue  Commissioners.
8250/DT43/16
Acted in a manner unbecoming to a solicitor by sending persistent texts  and correspondence to her trainee, to the Society, and to third parties, the  content and tenor of which were unprofessional, offensive, intemperate and  inappropriate, thereby bringing the solicitors’ profession into disrepute.
8250/DT46/16
Acted in a manner unbecoming to a solicitor by sending abusive texts,  and corresponded with her clients in an unprofessional, offensive, intemperate  and inappropriate manner, thereby bringing the solicitors’ profession into  disrepute.
2017/DT09
Acted in a manner unbecoming to a solicitor by sending abusive texts,  and corresponded with her client in an unprofessional, offensive, intemperate  and inappropriate way, thereby bringing the solicitors’ profession into  disrepute.
2017/DT70
Failed to comply with the direction of the committee made on 1 March  2016 to refund moneys to the complainant in the amount of €16,540 within seven  days of the meeting, as specified by the committee, or at all.
The tribunal ordered that the Law Society of Ireland bring its findings  and reports before the High Court. 
On 30 July 2018, the High Court declared that the respondent solicitor  was not a fit and proper person to be a member of the solicitors’ profession,  the respondent solicitor having been previously struck from the Roll by order  of the court dated 23 July 2018.