TAUMARUNUI SOLICITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22240, 15 October 1935, Page 14

TAUMARUNUI SOLICITOR

GROSS NEGLIGENCE ALLEGED LAW SOCIETY'S ACTION [BY TELEGBAPn —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Monday In the Court of Appeal to-day application was made by the New Zealand Law Society for the oxercise of tho disciplinary powers of tho Court over Arthur Evcrard Seaton, a barrister and solicitor, of Taumarunui. Mr. H. F. Thompson, who appeared for the Law Society, said an investigation had been commenced by the Hamilton "Law Society after numerous complaints had been received. Tho charges made against the practitioner were that he failed to have his trust account audited for the year ended March 31, 1935; that he failed to supply the auditor Avith a certified list of ledger balances; and that generally ho was unfitted to practise. Mr. Thompson asked that the practitioner be struck off tho rolls.

In reply to the Chief Justice, Mr. Thompson said though tho practitioner had been guilty of sins of omission, there was no evidence of any dishonesty, but only a suspicion concerning £7 in which his trust account was in debit. There was no doubt, however, that there had been gross negligence. Mr. von Haast, who appeared for Seaton, said his client had for some time suffered from bad health, and as a result had become lethargic awl apathetic. Ho admitted that there had been grave negligence, but suggested that in view of the absence of dishonesty tho Court might bo content merely to reprimand Seaton and order him to pay costs.

The Court will give its decision tomorrow.