Law Society-v-Richard Hutchison
Interlocutor
Edinburgh 15 March 2019. The Tribunal having considered the Complaint at the instance of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland against Richard Hutchison, of Malcolm & Hutchison, 34-36 Alexander Street, Airdrie; Find the Respondent guilty of professional misconduct singly in respect of his failure to implement a mandate for a period of nine months and in cumulo in respect that he (a) failed to communicate effectively with Mr A throughout the nine month period as to the position in relation to complying with the mandate, (b) misled the SLCC by indicating that he would deliver the files to Mr A on Friday 31 March 2017 and failed to correct the position when he did not do so, (c) failed to communicate effectively with the SLCC as he did not call them as requested at the end of March 2017/beginning of April 2017 to confirm that he had delivered the files, and (d) failed to communicate effectively with the Complainers in relation to his failure to deliver the files and implement the mandate; Censure the Respondent; 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 but need not identify any other person.
Alan McDonald
Vice Chairman