Solicitors jailed for fraud

Solicitors Iain Robertson, Alastair Blackwood and former solicitor David Lyons were sentenced along with Mohammed Aziz and Robert Ferguson, by Lord Richardson at the High Court in Glasgow on 18 January 2023. 

All five were found guilty last month following a nine-week trial instigated by an investigation by the Law Society into Paisley law firm Robertson & Ross. They were convicted of fraud and multiple charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Iain Robertson, David Lyons and Mohammed Aziz were also convicted on charges of being involved in serious organised crime. 

Iain Robertson was imprisoned for eight years while Alastair Blackwood, David Lyons, who was struck off as a solicitor in 2015, and Mohammed Aziz were each jailed for seven years. Robert Ferguson was jailed for 16 months. 

David Gordon, Convener of the Law Society of Scotland Regulatory Committee, said: “It is vital that people can continue to place their trust in the legal profession.  

“As the professional body and regulator for Scottish solicitors, we take our regulatory role very seriously and will intervene and take any necessary action to protect clients where we suspect a solicitor has failed to meet the high professional standards expected. 

“In this case the Law Society acted to protect clients when serious issues were identified at Paisley law firm Roberton and Ross. The Society suspended two solicitors at the firm from practice and successfully petitioned the Court of Session to appoint a judicial factor to protect the firm’s clients and the public interest.  

“Money laundering harms individuals, communities and society and is linked to crimes that cause human misery and suffering – from people trafficking, to illegal drugs and gun smuggling.  

“The Law Society has robust anti-money laundering measures in place to protect the public and ensure the legitimate services provided by legal practices are not misused for criminal purposes.

"This outcome in court highlights the importance of taking swift action and ensuring that concerns were reported to the authorities.”