Foote gets leave to appeal disbarment at the Privy Council
Published:Tuesday | July 23, 2024 | 9:16 AM
Disbarred attorney Don Foote has been granted final leave by the Court of Appeal to take his case to the United Kingdom Privy Council to challenge a ruling by the General Legal Council (GLC) that he should pay restitution of $2.3 million to a former client.
He was disbarred in December 2019 after the Disciplinary Committee of the GLC found him guilty of professional misconduct.
The disbarment arose from a complaint by a client that Foote had under-reported by $9 million the amount she was awarded following a medical negligence lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court against a dentist.
Following a hearing, Foote was then ordered by the GLC to pay $2.3 million to the complainant.
He appealed and the Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of the GLC.
Foote says “I am now happy that the 'kangaroo court' decision by the GLC ordering me to pay money to the complainant and disbarring me from practising will now be decided by the Privy Council.”
The Court of Appeal has granted a stay of the $2.3 million pending the outcome of the appeal but did not stay the striking off order.
Foote is contending that all the money allegedly owing to the complainant was paid long before the hearing before the GLC.
He had represented the complainant in a medical negligence suit but she complained that too much money was taken out of her award.
Foote maintained that the monies deducted were justifiable and were for fees, costs, disbursement and expenditure.
After final leave was granted on Monday Foote said he was now taking steps to dispatch the relevant documents to the Registrar of the Privy Council, which is Jamaica's final appellate court, because he is certain he will be successful in the appeal.
He was represented by King's Counsel Douglas Leys. The GLC was represented by King's Counsel Sandra Minott- Phillips and attorney- at-law Jamaiq Charles.
-Barbara Gayle
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