Law Society-v-Craig Richard Grimes
Interlocutor
Edinburgh 1 May 2015. The Tribunal having considered the Complaint dated 14 January 2015 at the instance of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland against Craig Richard Grimes, Solicitor, Anthony Mahon Limited, 48 West George Street, Glasgow; Find the Respondent guilty of professional misconduct in respect of his unconscionable delay for a period of 28 months and ultimately his failure to raise a divorce action in respect of a client and repeatedly misleading her as to the progress of the action; his failure during a six month period to reply to correspondence from a fellow solicitor in respect of that same client and his failure during a period of eight months to implement a mandate from that same client authorising him to pass her divorce file and all related papers to her new solicitors; Censure the Respondent; Direct in terms of Section 53(5) of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 that for a period of two years any practising certificate held or issued to the Respondent shall be subject to such restriction as will limit him to acting as a qualified assistant to such employer as maybe approved by the Council of the Law Society of Scotland or the Practising Certificate Sub Committee of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland; Find the Respondent liable in the expenses of the Complainers and of the Tribunal including expenses of the Clerk, chargeable on a time and line basis as the same may be taxed by the Auditor of the Court of Session on an agent and client, client paying basis in terms of Chapter Three of the last published Law Society’s Table of Fees for general business with a unit rate of £14.00; and Direct that publicity will be given to this decision and that this publicity should include the name of the Respondent and may but has no need to include the names of anyone other than the Respondent.
Malcolm McPherson
Vice Chairman
An appeal to the Court of Session was dismissed on 16 September 2016.
Compensation Interlocutor:
Edinburgh 1 May 2015. The Tribunal having considered the Complaint at the instance of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland against Craig Richard Grimes, Solicitor, Anthony Mahon Limited, 48 West George Street, Glasgow and having determined that the Respondent was guilty of professional misconduct considered that it was appropriate to award compensation to the Secondary Complainer; Ordain the Respondent in terms of Section 53(2)(bb) of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 to pay to Mrs Reena Malhotra, Flat 3/1, 363 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow the sum of £1500 by way of compensation in respect of inconvenience resulting from the misconduct within 28 days of the date on which this Interlocutor becomes final with interest at the rate of 8% per annum from the due date until paid.
Malcolm McPherson
Vice Chairman