Date
13 February 2020
Charges
14 charges of misconduct against Collins Omo were referred to the Disciplinary Tribunal as follows:
Charges 1 – 7:
Collins Omo failed to behave with honesty and integrity.
Contrary to: Principle 3, Outcomes 3.2 and 3.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct.
The particulars of the charges are that on seven occasions between 27 March 2015 and 26 March 2017 Collins Omo misled CILEx Regulation into believing he had not engaged in conduct which he knew or ought to have known, could affect his suitability to be admitted, authorised or approved by CILEx or CILEx Regulation namely by failing to declare in writing to CILEx Regulation that he had been investigated by the SRA which resulted in the revocation of his student membership of the Law Society on 9 March 2015 and his being declared ineligible to commence a period of recognised training owing to his character and suitability.
Charges 8 – 9:
Collins Omo failed to behave with honesty and integrity.
Contrary to: Principle 3, Outcomes 3.1 and 3.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct.
The particulars of the charge are that between 1 October 2017 and 30 November 2017, Collins Omo, received and retained payments totalling £1250, from clients of his employer’s firm, knowing or believing that the monies were due to the firm.
Charge 10:
Collins Omo failed to maintain high standards of professional and personal conduct and justify public trust in himself, his profession and the provision of legal services.
Contrary to: Principle 2, Outcome 2.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct.
The particulars of the charge are that between March 2019 and 30 October 2019, Collins Omo failed to respond to letters from his previous employer, requiring him to explain why he had given the firm’s clients incorrect bank details, including his personal bank details, into which legal fees owing to the firm were made by the clients and not repaid by Mr Omo.
Charge 11:
Collins Omo failed to behave with honesty and integrity
Contrary to: Principle 3, Outcomes 3.1 and 3.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct.
The particulars of the charge are that on or about 24 June 2019, Collins Omo sent a letter on his previous employer’s headed paper and purporting to be from a partner of the firm to CILEx Regulation. The letter stated that the firm was withdrawing its complaint against Mr Omo and that it had reviewed information and documentation which demonstrated that Mr Omo had conducted himself with complete propriety and professionalism. Details of which he knew to be false.
Charges 12 and 13:
Collins Omo failed to behave with honesty and integrity
Contrary to: Principle 3, Outcomes 3.1, 3.2 of the CILEx Code of Conduct.
The particulars of the charges are that on or about the 24 June 2019, Collins Omo sent two letters on his previous employer’s headed paper and purporting to be from partners of the firm to two separate individuals. The letters contained serious allegations about another individual know to Mr Omo which he knew to be false.
Charge 14:
Collins Omo failed to comply with his legal and regulatory obligations and deal with regulators and ombudsman openly, promptly and cooperatively.
Contrary to: Principle 4, Outcomes 4.1 and 4.4 of the CILEx Code of Conduct
The particulars of the charge are that between 26 March 2015 and 30 October 2019, Collins Omo pursued a course of conduct in which he repeatedly failed to comply with his regulatory obligations namely, he submitted to CILEX or CILEx Regulation seven prior conduct questionnaires in which he failed to declare conduct which he knew or ought to have known would have been relevant in a decision to admit, authorise or approve him. Further he failed to respond in a timely or appropriate way to enquiries made by CILEx Regulation following service of notices of investigation and to questions concerning his employment or self-employment and his address.
Outcome
The Disciplinary Tribunal found all charges proved on a balance of probabilities.
Sanction – Indefinite exclusion
In accordance with Rule 30(5)(iv) of the CILEx Regulation Enforcement Rules 2018, the Disciplinary Tribunal ordered the immediate exclusion of Mr Omo from CILEx membership for an indefinite period and that he is not permitted to reapply for membership of CILEx for a period of 10 years. He was ordered to pay costs of £4810.30
