Thursday, May 02, 2013

Unethical?

I seriously won't use this word against my fella colleague, because I always think every qualified lawyer are to know what is ethical ever since they are called to the Bar.  I was wrong in thinking that because many are lousy lawyer which means, they can be unethical in every moves they make.
I just happen to come across one and get very pissed off by him ever since I have this case in hand.  It's always the intention to settle the matter amicably between the parties, but my learned friend has somehow made all the moves to made it 'impossible to perform'.  Thinking back, it's just how amazing he deals with things.  I can forget the way and the angers that arose in me.  But... when it happen again today, i just feel so wanted to smash him on his face.
After the trial, he who represented the Plaintiff called me, (the 6th defendant's lawyer), asking me if I can ask my client to help him get a settlement done between his clients and the 1st - 5th Defendants, with the condition he and/or his clients are not going to get any compensation from my client.  With such juicy condition, how can i hesitate? I called my client immediately and I forwarded to him immediately a draft Deed of Settlement.  But he didn't reply.  Instead, he went ahead to settle with the 1st-5th Defendants and later, asked my client to pay him RM200,000.00.  I was furious.  Called the 1st-5th Defendants asking what happen and they told me, it's him to said he will not want to include the 6th defendant's settlement.
Great!  First round, it didn't work out.  I set it aside as I have other matters to worry then to worry about this.  I filed my notice of appeal to the court and application to stay of proceeding and execution.  He then called, asked if my client can call RM20K.  I confirmed with my client and told him it is possible if a Deed of Settlement is to be executed between the parties.  He refused.  With his refusal, the matter came to court this morning.  The Court asked to settle by entering a consent order.  The Court allows a stand down for 30 minutes to sort out the terms. I refuse to pay RM20K.  He asked me how much then. I told him, RM0.  He got angry and said, how about RM15K? I said, if that's his offer, i will confirm with my client.  He agreed.  I called client, and ok with it.  When I told him, he said, it's not an agreed sum because he has not asked his client. Bloody hell, i didn't know lawyer like him is like a dog to his clients.  Anyway, it then took about 45 minutes to get to his client and got the settlement sorted out.  I wonder why did he even offer RM15K if he cannot speak on behalf of his client.
Unethical of him because he has been an idiot.  He doesn't want to settle.  He is not taking the RM15K to his client.  He is taking it into his own account because his client didn't pay him.  It gets on my nerves more when i know he has received RM2million from 1st to 5th Defendants and that sum, according to the 1st to 5th defendants are the total sum including my client's portion.  But he was being greedy and asked RM200K fro my client again.
So unethical!
I just can't bear with unethicality anymore....
- Unethical? -

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