Law Society-v-Graeme Stark Herald

Edinburgh 25 June 2010. The Tribunal having considered the Complaint dated 3 November 2009 at the instance of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland against Graeme Stark Herald formerly of Herald & Company, 85 High Street, Arbroath, and now of 27/10 Hawthornbank Lane, Edinburgh; Find the Respondent guilty of professional misconduct in respect of his breach of Rule 4 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Accounts etc Fund Rules 2001 and his over a lengthy period of time on a repeated basis stealing and embezzling funds belonging to his clients in order to fund his personal lifestyle and professional practice; Order that the name of the Respondent, Graeme Stark Herald be Struck off the Roll of Solicitors in Scotland; Find the Respondent liable in the expenses of the Complainers and of the Tribunal including the 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 except in respect of the hearing on 1 June 2010 in respect of which there will be no expenses found due to or by any party; Order that publicity will be given to this Decision and that this publicity should include the name of the Respondent but any publicity shall be deferred until after the conclusion of any criminal proceedings against the Respondent.

Alistair Cockburn
Chairman