Popular criminal defence attorney, Isat Buchanan was on Saturday found guilty of professional misconduct by the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council, GLC during a virtual meeting.

A sanctions hearing in the matter has been set for October 22.

The development stems from a matter brought against Buchanan by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llewellyn. It followed what the DPP described as an outburst from Buchanan, one of the lawyers representing incarcerated dancehall star Vybz Kartel in his murder appeal case. In November 2020, Buchanan criticised the DPP’s handling of the case involving Kartel.

Specifically, Buchanan was accused of breaching Canon 1b of the Legal Profession (Canons of Professional Ethics) Rules which stipulates that an attorney shall at all times maintain the honour and dignity of the profession and shall abstain from behaviour which may tend to discredit the profession of which he is a member.

Buchanan, had accused the DPP’s office of being shady following a request by the defence to have a cell phone that featured prominently in the Kartel murder trial re-examined. The reexamination was in preparation for an appeal to the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.

In her response, the DPPP said Buchanan had mischaracterised events. She also accused him of engaging in irresponsible and reckless behaviour.

Buchanan was represented at the hearing by attorney-at-law John Clarke while Andre Earle represented the Office of the DPP.