JUDGMENT

Hashim Yeop A Sani J (delivering the judgment of the Court):

The appeals are from the decision of the Disciplinary Committee appointed by the Chief Justice to investigate into a complaint made against the appellants, two senior members of the legal profession. Very briefly, the background of the matter is as follows. On or about 19 August 1975 one Lee Kwang made a complaint to the Johore Bar Committee to the effect that a sum of $49,423.30 had been paid (in cash) by him to one Charlie Chin (chief clerk of the appellants' firm) and not returned. He was issued with a receipt No. 0600 dated 10 July 1973 (Exh. P1). The payment was said to be towards the purchase of certain lands. Since payment of the said sum it was complained that the solicitors failed to return the same and refused to advise the complainant on the progress of the purchase of the lands despite several requests by him. P1 is an official receipt of the firm issued in respect of the client's account. P1 was signed by Ramanathan (the cashier) of the appellants' firm. The Disciplinary Committee was appointed on 30 October 1975.

The new Legal Profession Act, 1976 came into force on 1 June 1977 superseding the Advo