Summary of Decision of the Hearing Panel on an Application to Vary an Order under Rule 5-12
Sumandip Singh
Written materials: April 27, 2021
Decision issued: May 11, 2021 (2021 LSBC 15)
Panel: Ralston S. Alexander, QC (chair) and Paul Ruffell
Counsel: Mandana Namazi and Ilana Teicher for the Law Society; Joven Narwal for Sumandip Singh
BACKGROUND
The hearing panel ordered Sumandip Singh be suspended for a period of two years commencing April 1, 2021 or any such day as the parties agreed upon (2021 LSBC 12). Singh characterized the language as an “invitation” to amend the commencement date. The parties agreed the start date would be May 1, 2021. Singh then filed an application for a review of the disciplinary action decision and for a stay of the suspension pending the outcome of the review. He also applied for a further postponement of the commencement date of his suspension to June 1, 2021, which was the matter currently before the panel.
DECISION
The panel found that at least one ongoing matter in Singh’s practice required his continuing in practice beyond May 1 to avoid potential prejudice to the client and granted the extension of the commencement date of the previously ordered suspension to June 1, 2021, with the expectation that no further extensions of the commencement date of the suspension would be sought or granted. This condition is subject to the decision (before June 1, 2021) of the pending application for a stay of the suspension pending the outcome of the review.
2021 LSBC 15 Decision of the Hearing Panel on an Application to Vary an Order under Rule 5-12