Peter James Livers solicitor
Peter James Livers is a solicitor one would prefer to have on the opposing side, as he is unlikely to advocate effectively even for his own client. He completely misrepresented myself and caused significant damage concluding my personal claim. He used to work at Slattery Thompson law firm. Now, renamed Bechara Slattery, with the same inadequate work ethic, in my personal experience.
History
Peter James Livers represented me for my personal injury claim from 2023-01. He represented me at PIC Assessment Conference 2023-06-28 (AC) for my personal injury claim. The matter has deteriorated significantly, with uncertainty on remedy. Because of his misrepresentation (mostly by not providing to PIC the evidence I sent to him) I got only about 1/4 of what was expected. At this stage, my focus is on seeking justice to help ensure others do not experience similar harm.
The most effective way to demonstrate the extent to which Livers misrepresented me, is to mention his representation during AC. He promised to expose all lies by Ceballos (QBE solicitor) during AC. When it was time for Livers to present the case he asked me only one question: "How many pots have I in my garden?".
I have not seen such misrepresentation even in movies.
There were many actions by Livers that can be identified as professional misconduct. However, these actions differ a lot in their impact. For some corruption is the only logical explanation I can come up with. Others also perfectly fit into corrupt behaviour and attempts to cover it. Some of the remaining actions could be explained by highly damaging negligence if not the other corrupt actions.
I dedicated almost a year to collecting and providing the necessary information for my claim, yet the outcome was worse than the previous one. Livers was instrumental in limiting the compensation I received.
I wrote a review about him on Google maps, you can read it at this site too.
Misconduct Summary
There is a long list of Misrepresentation by Peter Livers. Below is a summary with some context.
Ceballos provided false information about mental health status, misquoted medical documents and statements and provided false statements reducing severity of injury. Livers knew about it and was provided with evidence of wrong statement by Ceballos. However, Livers falsely promised to provide that information to PIC, instead he led PIC to believe that it is true. He also withheld request for information about representation by barrister, medical and legal expenses. He misled me with advice about non economical loss. This resulted in severe damaged to the compensation claim. After this Livers obstructed me from going to appeal process.
Actions that can be explained only by corruption: DUPLICATED
- Ceballos (QBE solicitor) submitted lots of absurd lies to PIC about my functioning before and after the injury.
- I provided detailed evidence to Livers that showed how incorrect Ceballos statements are.
- Livers promised to include these objections in his submissions, later to present during tribunal.
- Livers withheld from me the question from PIC about representation by barrister and lied to PIC that I do not want barrister. During assessment conference Livers acted as if he did not now what was happening at all. Having independent barrister would stop Livers from being able to fail my claim.
- Livers did not provide to PIC any of objections about lies by Ceballos.
- Livers did not inform about Ceballos disputing legal and medical expenses. This resulted in QBE avoiding paying for most of expenses. Just Medicare expenses by 2020 were $11,245.85. QBE disputed all my out of pocket treatment expenses and more than half of medicare expenses. PIC assessor awarded $10,000 for past and future treatment expenses. This will not be enough even to cover past Medicare expenses.
- During tribunal Livers insisted that I ask $500,000 for pain and suffering. Previously I asked for $200,000 and insurance agreed. Even Macken, PIC member, said that $500,000 is too high, as just 3 weeks ago he gave quadriplegic only $375,000, and if I leave it this high I will get close to the allowed minimum $100,000. Unfortunately, I trusted Livers and got $150,000.
- Before tribunal Livers did not update Medicare expenses. He withhold from me information that QBE is disputing medicare expenses. I found out it during tribunal.
- After the tribunal Livers pushed very hard to accept tribunal decision.
- Before tribunal Livers recommended and promised to go to court after tribunal decision. However, after the tribunal he did everything in his power to prevent me from appealing tribunal decision.
Actions that supplement supposition of corruption, but could potentiality be explained by some extreme negligence:
- Livers modified the documents that I sent to him to be sent to PIC by removing some key information.
- Livers did not collect any information required for my claim.
- Livers dragged time missing important deadlines
- Livers significantly misled about his expertise or intentionally provided bad advice
- Livers sent his bill before all procedures related to claim were finished and potentially before some of his misconduct becomes apparent
Emotional damage
Not being able to cope. This injustice intensified my PTSD symptoms so much that I was consonantly overwhelmed by panic attacks. I could not think at all. My body went into autopilot mode with only one task - survive.
Money lost from interest on trust account
There must be more specific English word for this, but I can not thing of it right now. I will fix it when I remember it.
Background
- 2023-06-28 PIC Assessment Conference.
- 2023-07-20 Hugh Macken uploaded determination.
- 2023-08-08 I submitted request to fix obvious errors and that I will accept the determination.
- 2023-08-22 Livers sent me email informing that PIC decided that there we no errors in determination and asked me to send another confirmation accepting the award.
- 2023-08-30 Not being able to cope I accepted corrupted tribunal decision due to health reasons.
Money held in Ceballos account
- 2023-08-30 Ceballos got money from QBE to make a payment. I do not have exact record but based on information provided by Livers. I would prefer to have bank transaction records, but not sure how to get it.
- 2023-12-19 Ceballos transferred money to Livers.
- Ceballos held
Complaint to OLSC
2024-02-19 Complaint to OLSC about Peter Livers
Bechara Slattery - new name same bad
It seems that Slattery Thompson was one man's operation, at least at the time I worked with Livers as never seen anyone else there. The firm went through some restructuring. It seems that it was purchased and then sold again. Now it is named Bechara Slattery, but my experience is that they work the same. My strong recommendation - do not ever higher them. If by some bad luck they are representing you, then stop working with them immediately. No representation is better than this one.
I will provide one example just to illustrate how bad is communicating with them.
Request to keep interests for both parties
I was furious with Livers misrepresentation for my personal injury claim and was looking for a way to seek justice. I have rejected his absurd claim for exaggerated fees and submitted complaint to OLSC about serious misconduct.
2024-12-16 I wrote to Livers asking for money to be kept in controlled money account that keeps interest from it rather than transferring it to LawSociety. This would allow to keep interest to be divided between parties based on how money from trust fund is divided. This is a common and only logical practice in all money disputes around the world. However, this not the view of Issa Bechara. 2024-12-17 Issa Bechara wrote an email that in no way can be called a reply. Bechara:
- Ignored my request about history of transaction and transferring money to controlled money account.
- Ignored current situation and current complaint to OLSC about Livers misconduct.
- Wrote demands and suggestions that knew very well that I am against and would be against my interest.
I was shocked with such Bechara attitude. What is he trying to achieve? To insult me? It is hard to believe that he would even for a second thought that there is a chance that these demands can be considered. I do not think anyone is that delusional.
For completeness I include copies of emails.
There were Dear Peter, I am just following up previous email: 1. I have not received a copy of it. Would you please provide a copy of your trust account ledger showing all transactions in the matter. 2. I confirm in writing that I want money from the trust account to be kept in controlled money account to earn interest as mentioned in the previous email. 3. I have checked with NAB (if I understand correctly this is where the trust account is now) and they have a variable interest rate controlled money account with 5% total interest rate. This way it does not have to be a fixed term. Kind regards, Dr Alfonsas Stonis
Dear Colleagues,
We refer to the attached email correspondence and our telephone conversations with you
over the past week. As discussed, we, Bechara Slattery & Associates do not hold funds in
our trust account for Mr Stonis. As a result, Peter Livers cannot attend to your request.
We have contacted Benchmark Lawyers have requested a trust account ledger. Please find
this attached. As explained in our discussions, we may be willing to assist in the resolution
of this matter as Peter Livers works for our firm. We can do this by having the entirety of
the trust funds transferred from Benchmark Lawyers trust account to the Bechara Slattery
& Associates trust account. However, we will only be willing to do so should:
1. Mr Stonis agree to an invoice for the work Peter Livers provided;
2. Benchmark Lawyers no longer be contacted once the trust funds are transferred
over; and
3. Mr Stonis enters into an agreement with Law Partners for a stay of their rights under
the Tripartite Deed, to allow Peter Livers to be paid.
Once the trust money is received in our trust account, the invoice for Peter Livers will be
negotiated and paid, then, we will transfer the remainder of Mr Stonis’ trust money where
directed, in order for the matter to be resolved directly between your office and Law
Partners.
Please let me know if you are agreeable to this.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Court case against Livers
Livers was in court before for misconduct. Unfortunately, I was not aware of it when I contacted him. The normal search did not provide a court case. So, now I will try again using court database.
Date, tittle , court, desicion , catch words