SSDT Annual Report 2018

                                                              Annual Report 2018

According to the latest Annual Report from the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal, the Tribunal heard and made decisions on 33 cases in 2018.  There were 25 findings of professional misconduct and no decisions under section 53(1)(b) of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980.  Four solicitors were found not guilty.  In three of these, the Tribunal remitted the complaints to the Law Society under section 53ZA of the 1980 Act.  One Complaint was withdrawn by the Law Society.  The Tribunal also dealt with three appeal cases under section 42ZA of the 1980 Act.

Seven solicitors were struck off and can no longer practise. This is the most serious sanction the Tribunal can impose.  Others were censured, fined and/or made the subject of restricted practising certificates.  Compensation was awarded in four cases.

The main grounds for solicitors’ misconduct included failure to comply with the Accounts Rules and/or Practice Rules, dishonesty, and failure to reply to the Law Society and/or clients.

The report can be read on the SSDT website here.