Former Cambridge Bay lawyer apologizes to RCMP

Accusations of professional misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a barrister and solicitor against Scott Barron, a former Cambridge Bay legal aid lawyer, were dismissed by the Law Society of Nunavut on April 25 in Iqaluit.

The complaint, made by the RCMP under the Legal Professional Act, was dropped by the society’s disciplinary committee, mediated by Neil Sharkey, on condition that Barron apologize to the RCMP.

Baron removed a client’s police statement from the Cambridge Bay RCMP detachment in March 2001. The client, a male youth, gave the statement without Barron being present and without Barron’s consent, the disciplinary hearing heard.

The statement “upset” Barron, who, for undisclosed reasons, took the statement home with him.

“[Barron] admits it showed very poor judgment,” said Robert Gorin, Barron’s lawyer.

RCMP inspector Dan Fudge made the complaint against Barron. Barron has since moved South to practise law.

Barron returned the statement at the request of the RCMP. His apology was also made at the request of the RCMP.

Barron never faced disbarment – only a note of reprimand on his file if the complaint had been upheld.