Law Society-v-Stephen McGuire (1)

By Video Conference, 1 November 2023.  The Tribunal having considered the revised Complaint dated 1 November 2023 at the instance of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland, Atria One, 144 Morrison Street, Edinburgh against Stephen McGuire, Maulside House, Beith; Find the Respondent guilty of professional misconduct in respect of his breach of Rules B1.4.1, B1.9.1 and B1.10 of the Law Society of Scotland Practice Rules 2011; Censure the Respondent; Fine him in the sum of £1,500 to be Forfeit to His Majesty; Direct in terms of Section 53(5) of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 that for an aggregate period of five 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 or successive employers as may be 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; 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; and Allow the Secondary Complainers 28 days from the date of intimation of these written findings to lodge a claim for compensation.

 Ben Kemp

Glasgow,  25 January 2024. The Tribunal having considered the Complaint at the instance of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland against Stephen McGuire, Maulside House, Beith; Allows the Secondary Complainer, Ms A, to withdraw her claim for compensation; and Finds no expenses due to or by any party in relation to the claim for compensation.

Catherine Hart

Vice Chair