Scottish solicitor struck off

Following an investigation by the Law Society of Scotland, the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal (SSDT) has found former solicitor advocate, Michael McSherry, guilty of professional misconduct in the course of his work at Paisley firm, SBM Law and struck him from the Roll of Solicitors.

Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland, said, “It is vital that individuals can continue to place their trust in Scottish solicitors and that their interests are protected, should things go wrong.

“We take our regulatory role very seriously and will intervene when we suspect that any of our members has failed to meet the Society’s high professional standards, in the course of their work as a Scottish solicitor.”

The full findings are available to read on the SSDT website:SSDT Findings

Notes to editors

All complaints against solicitors go to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission as the gateway organisation for all legal complaints in Scotland. The SLCC categorise complaints as ‘service’ or ‘conduct’ issues and has the power to deal with complaints about service provided. Any conduct matters are passed to the relevant professional body for investigation.

The Law Society of Scotland is the professional body for Scottish-qualified solicitors. In addition to investigating conduct matters it can make findings of unsatisfactory professional conduct and direct solicitors to undertake training, impose a fine up to £2,000 or order the solicitor to pay compensation up to £5,000. 

Serious conduct matters are prosecuted before the independent Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal. The SSDT can censure, fine, suspend or in the most serious cases, strike a solicitor from the roll.