Law Society-v-Shagufta Ghafar

Edinburgh, 1 September 2023.  The Tribunal having considered the revised Complaint dated 18 August 2023 at the instance of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland, Atria One, 144 Morrison Street, Edinburgh against Shagufta Ghafar, Ghafar & Co Ltd., 538 Cathcart Road, Govanhill, Glasgow; Find the Respondent guilty of professional misconduct singly in respect that (1) she acted in a conflict of interest situation, and in cumulo in respect that (2) she failed to act in the best interests of her client and (3) presented a disposition for registration multiple times with her handwritten changes made without the consent of the Secondary Complainer; Censure the Respondent; Find the Complainers liable in the expenses of the Respondent in relation to preparation for and attendance at the preliminary hearing on 24 April 2023, and otherwise find the Respondent liable in the expenses of the Complainers and of the Tribunal including expenses of the Clerk, all expenses being 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.