Appellants appealed sentences imposed for trading in real estate without registration under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002.
The trial court imposed fines of $2,500 per count on each defendant (totalling $20,000 each).
The appellants challenged the fines as harsh and excessive.
The appellate court found the trial court erred in principle by failing to inquire into the defendants' financial circumstances and imposed fines that were clearly excessive and disproportionate to the gravity of the offences.
The court allowed the appeals and imposed substantially reduced sentences.
