Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington Suspended Six Months for Professional Misconduct

Well-known attorney, Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington has been suspended from practicing law after the General Legal Council (GLC) found him guilty of “grave professional misconduct.” The decision comes following a formal complaint lodged by a former client, Orpha Martinez, and marks a significant disciplinary action against one of Belize’s most seasoned legal practitioners.  According to the GLC, Elrington, now 77 years old, accepted $6,000 from Martinez several years ago to file a lawsuit on her behalf against Scotiabank Belize. However, the Council found that he failed to institute the claim and did not keep his client updated, despite repeated obligations to do so.  The situation worsened when Elrington reportedly gave a written undertaking to the Council, agreeing to repay the $6,000 in settlement of the complaint. The GLC says he failed to honor that commitment, a breach that contributed to the severity of the ruling.  As a result, the General Legal Council has ordered Senior Counsel Elrington to Repay the full $6,000 to Martinez; serve a six-month suspension from the practice of law; and remain suspended beyond the six months if the money is not repaid in full.  A notice of his suspension has been circulated to all courts in Belize, effectively barring him from appearing before any judicial body until the Council lifts the order.  This marks one of the most consequential disciplinary actions taken by the GLC in recent years against a member of the legal profession, particularly one of Senior Counsel rank.