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 John Mark McFeely
Name
John Mark McFeely
Address
Hegarty & McFeely Solicitors, 10 Queen Street, Derry BT48 7EX, Northern Ireland; and 27 Clarendon Street, Derry BT48 7EX, Northern Ireland
Date of Order
05/02/2018
Decision
 
In the matter of John Mark McFeely, a solicitor previously  practising as Hegarty & McFeely Solicitors at 10 Queen Street, Derry BT48  7EX, Northern Ireland, and at 27 Clarendon Street, Derry BT48 7EX, Northern  Ireland, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2015 [2017/DT25; 2017/DT48; 2017/DT49; 2017/DT50; and High Court record 2017 91 SA]
Law Society of Ireland (applicant)
John Mark McFeely (respondent solicitor)
2017/DT25 
On 20 September 2017, the Solicitors  Disciplinary Tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of professional  misconduct in that he:
1)   Failed to ensure that  there was furnished to the Society a closing accountant’s report, as required  by regulation 26(2) of the Solicitors Accounts Regulations  2001 (SI 421 of 2001) in a timely manner or  at all, having ceased practice on 31 December 2012,
2)   Failed to respond to  the Society’s queries in relation to the balance of client funds held by him  since he ceased practising.
2017/DT48
On 20 September 2017, the Solicitors  Disciplinary Tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of professional  misconduct in that he:
1)   Failed to comply with  an undertaking dated 19 June 2007 furnished to Permanent TSB on behalf of his  named clients and property at Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, in a timely manner  or at all,
2)   Failed to respond to  the Society’s letter of 7 October 2016 in a timely manner, within the time  prescribed, or at all,
3)   Failed to attend the  meeting of the Complaints and Client Relations Committee on 29 November 2016,  despite being required to do so by letter dated 22 November 2016.
2017/DT49
On 20 September 2017, the Solicitors  Disciplinary Tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of professional  misconduct in that he:
1)   Failed to comply with  an undertaking furnished to named complainants on 30 December 2004 in respect  of his named clients and property at Castlefinn, Co Donegal, in a timely manner  or at all,
2)   Failed to comply with  the direction made by the Complaints and Client Relations Committee at its  meeting on 19 July 2016 that he furnish a full report to the Society by 29 July  2016, which decision was communicated to him by letter dated 20 July 2016,
3)   Failed to respond to  letters from the Society dated 12 January and 29 January 2016 in a timely  manner or at all.
2017/DT50
On 20 September 2017, the Solicitors  Disciplinary Tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of professional  misconduct in that he:
1)   Failed to comply with  an undertaking dated 20 September 2007 furnished to Permanent TSB in respect of  his named client and property at Newtowncunningham, Donegal, in a timely manner  or at all,
2)   Failed to respond to  the Society’s correspondence of 7 October 2016 and 2 November 2016 within the  time provided, in a timely manner, or at all,
3)   Failed to attend the  meeting of the Complaints and Client Relations Committee on 29 November 2016,  despite being required to do so by letter dated 22 November 2016.
The tribunal sent all four matters  forward to the High Court and, on 5 February 2018, in High Court proceedings  2017 no 91 SA, the High Court made an order that: 
1)   The respondent  solicitor’s name be struck off the Roll of Solicitors,
2)   The respondent  solicitor pay a cumulative sum of €5,500 as a contribution towards the costs of  the disciplinary proceedings within six months of the order,
3)   The respondent  solicitor pay the whole of the costs of the applicant, such costs to be taxed  by a taxing master of the High Court in default of agreement.