Fatal fire in Old Montreal

Mr. Benamor, a 63-year-old lawyer, received a stay allowing him to interrupt “the provisional execution of [sa] suspension ordered by the Disciplinary Council of the Barreau du Québec on April 22.”

This decision was rendered by Judge Mélanie Dugré on Friday at the Professional Tribunal, an instance of the Court of Quebec, during the appeal process.

To explain the granting of the stay, the judgment cites “exceptional circumstances”, saying in particular that Émile-Haïm Benamor continued to exercise his functions over the last three years. It is also mentioned that the appellant has no disciplinary history with the Order, apart from these criminal charges.

The main person concerned had pleaded his right to the presumption of innocence, his trial having not yet taken place. He also argued that a suspension of his right to practice “will deprive him of a source of income and undermine his right to full answer and defence”.

Graves accusations

On March 18, almost three years to the day after the tragic fire in a heritage building, Mr. Benamor was arrested and charged with 15 charges: seven for manslaughter and eight for criminal negligence.

The William-Watson-Ogilvie building then perished under the flames, killing seven people and injuring nine.

The trustee of the Quebec Bar then requested the suspension of the real estate investor and lawyer’s right to practice, a few days after the charges were filed.

He relied on article 122.0.1 of the Professional Code, which allows a temporary suspension or limitation of the professional activities of an individual targeted by a prosecution where he risks five years in prison or more.

The trustee mentioned that the fifteen offenses cited are “very serious” and that they are in “direct contravention of the fundamental attributes of the legal profession”.

With Karim Benssaiseh, The Press