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 Brian Johnston
Name
Brian Johnston
Address
Brian Johnston & Co, Solicitors, 79 Park Street, Dundalk, Co Louth
Date of Order
17/10/2011
Decision
 
In the matter of Brian Johnston, a solicitor formerly practising as Brian Johnston & Co, Solicitors, 79 Park Street, Dundalk, Co Louth, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2008 [6927/DT64/10 and High Court record no 2011/81 SA]
 Law Society of Ireland (applicant)
 Brian Johnston (respondent solicitor) 
  
 On 2 June 2011, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of misconduct in his practice as a solicitor in that he:
 a)      Failed to maintain proper books of account in respect of his practice,
 b)      Failed to furnish reporting accountant’s reports to the Society as required by the Solicitors’ Accounts Regulations 2001,
 c)       Falsely stated in his application for a practising certificate that a reporting accountant’s reports had been filed when in fact this had not been done,
 d)      Allowed overpayments to be made to a number of clients, giving rise to a deficit on client accounts in excess of €700,000,
 e)      Committed several breaches of regulation 7(2)(a) of the Solicitors’ Accounts Regulations 2001 by allowing debit balances to arise on the clients’ ledger account in respect of a client other than a debit balance that was totally offset by a credit balance arising on another clients’ ledger account in respect of the same client,
 f)         Failed to make income tax returns in respect of his practice,
 g)      Failed to make VAT returns in respect of his practice,
 h)       Retained his name on the headed notepaper of his former practice, thus giving the impression he was still in practice at a time when he had been suspended from practising as a solicitor.
  
 The tribunal made the following recommendations:
 1)      The respondent solicitor is not a fit person to be a member of the solicitors’ profession,
 2)      The name of the respondent solicitor be struck off the Roll of Solicitors,
 3)      The respondent solicitor pay 50% of the costs of the Society, to be taxed by a taxing master of the High Court in default of agreement.
  
 In recognition of the respondent solicitor’s efforts to pay back the monies to clear the deficit and to regularise his affairs, the tribunal did not make any recommendation in regard to imposing a monetary penalty on him.
  
 On 17 October 2011, the President of the High Court ordered that:
 1)      The name of the respondent solicitor shall be struck from the Roll of Solicitors,
 2)      The Society do recover the costs of the proceedings before the High Court and the costs of the proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, to include witness expenses, as against the respondent solicitor when taxed or ascertained.