It's foggy in Barakat-Land ... Is that a Le Wrap? ... Settlement likely with Mrs K ... Hiding assets in clumsy deceits on creditors is something up with which the Law Society should not put
A young Russell Keddie (left) hiking his way to a fortune
WHAT'S the latest with the Keddies Katastrophe, I hear you cry?
Word from Max Donnelly, the receiver of Russell Keddie's bankrupt estate, is that a committee of inspection has been created to go through Russ's affairs.
The committee mainly represents the clients of Firths Compo Lawyers, who had won a slate of overcharging cases against the old Keddies' law shop.
Negotiations are underway with Mrs Keddie (aka Sarah Key) over properties in Sydney and London that are in her name and in which, at various stages, her struck-off hubby had an interest.
An offer is on the table and Donnelly is hopeful of a settlement with Mrs K.
Claims against Russell's estate total between $21-22 million.
* * *
Pitt St, Redfern: all quiet at Barakat & Co
MEANWHILE, a fog has descended over the affairs of Tony Barakat.
No one is willing to give us a straight answer as to whether he is still trading as Barton Lawyers and if the Law Society has asked him to show cause why his ticket shouldn't be cancelled.
Surely, there's a serious issue here - a bankrupt solicitor trading as a sole practitioner.
Barakat is still listed by the Law Society as an "unrestricted principal".
Details of his legal services are here.
One would have thought the amount of Barakat family treasure salted in trusts and way from the grasping hands of creditors would sufficiently prompt those charged with protecting the honour and glory of the solicitors' trade.
See: Bankruptcy bollocks
See: No doubt about it
The Law Society says it won't say anything because the matter is confidential but that "if the council of he Law Society decides that any action should be taken" then it will be in touch.
We asked Barakat what was going on.
"Are you still in practice with Barton Lawyers or have you moved to a different firm?
Also, has the Law Society asked you to show cause in relation to your PC?"
We added that there were rumours swirling around, so we needed clarification.
Barakat wanted to know "what rumours" and "by the way, are you a lawyer?"
Funny, that was what we wanted to know of him.
Justinian replied:
"I'm trying to confirm whether you are still in practice and whether the Law Society has done anything about your bankruptcy?"
The screen went blank and at the time of going to press there was no reply.
We also believe that that the "costs consultancy" Barakat operated as a way of running harassment on Stephen Firth has also shut-up shop.
Maybe Tony will immerse himself in his fast food business, Le Wrap.
* * *
WHETHER former Law Society senior vice-president Scott Roulstone will be asked to show cause by his old chums is a withering thought.
We know Barakat's trustee PPB Advisory got a Federal Court order on August 10 to freeze $1.6 million the solicitor was trying to squirrel into his Vanair Trust.
He had attempt to move this money into Vanair just before he filed his debtor's petition in order to repay a "loan" the trust had made to him.
If bankrupt lawyers can crudely attempt to hide assets so as to do down their creditors then there is a "fit and proper" question, quite apart from how they manage to run solicitors' trust accounts in these circumstances.
The question is so demanding an answer that everyone has gone catatonic.