In a significant ruling, the General Legal Council (GLC) has suspended Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington from practicing law for six months due to grave professional misconduct. The decision, announced on November 21, 2025, also requires Elrington to pay $6,000 in restitution to Orpha Martinez, the complainant in the case. The Council found that Elrington accepted $6,000 from Martinez to file a claim against Scotia Bank Belize but failed to initiate the legal action for several years. Additionally, he neglected to keep Martinez informed and breached his commitment to repay the funds as part of a settlement agreement. Elrington attempted to defend himself by arguing that the matter was resolved and that the complaint was statute-barred due to its age. He also highlighted his 50-year legal career and voluntary legal services as mitigating factors. However, the Council dismissed these arguments, emphasizing his failure to uphold professional standards and previous commitments. The sanctions, imposed under Section 16(2) of the Legal Profession Act, aim to preserve public trust in the legal profession. The suspension will last six months and could be extended if the restitution remains unpaid.