Scottish Legal Complaints Commission concealed meetings with Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Investigations into ties between insurers & the Scottish Government reveal the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission were authorised to conceal cooperation and meetings with the Institute of Chartered Accountants from Freedom of Information enquires, after officials at the Justice Department deemed their release to media too sensitive on the grounds that the secret meetings, details of which had been leaked to reporters, had been arranged by Marsh UK, insurers to Scotland's legal profession and the Scottish Government itself.
Freedom of Information replies from the Legal Complaints Commission brought denials all round. The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission replied to Freedom of Information enquiries on their involvement with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland with all round denials : “The SLCC has no involvement with Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland therefore I am issuing you with notice that the information requested is not held in line with Section 17(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002” and went on in email correspondence to further deny reports that Marsh UK were involved in arranging the meetings with ICAS, allegedly on instructions from the Scottish Government's Justice Department, who were concerned the Scottish Government’s own links to discredited insurers Marsh, ICAS, and even the Law Society of Scotland itself on insurance issues would be revealed in FOI disclosures.
Law Society of Scotland has strong ties to accountants regulator ICAS. I have reported earlier on the Law Society of Scotland's involvement with the Institute of Chartered Accountants here, where even a former President of the Law Society, Ruthven Gemmel, was posted to ICAS committees to keep up representation from the legal profession : Fears over corrupt self regulation as accountants regulator draft in ex Law Society President and solicitor as Public Interest members
SLCC Chief Executive Eileen Masterman arranges meetings with ICAS through crooked insurers Marsh. The round of secret meetings was kicked off by the SLCC's Chief Executive, Eileen Masterman, who wanted meetings with ICAS over discussions on the SLCC's role in monitoring the notoriously corrupt Master Policy & Guarantee Fund, the two compensation schemes run by the Law Society of Scotland which are intended to compensate clients of crooked lawyers who commit negligence while representing their clients legal affairs or stealing clients funds.
SLCC denied all involvement with ICAS & Marsh but now documents reveal otherwise. Investigations which sprang from leaks from the Scottish Government & ICAS revealed the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission had been in discussions with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland over suggestions for the names of experts and other individuals from the legal & accounting world to include in the SLCC’s research into the Master Policy & Guarantee Fund. However, as Marsh UK arranges insurance for both the legal AND accountancy professions, the Scottish Government's Justice Department (who are also insured through deals with Marsh UK) ordered any documents relating to SLCC meetings with ICAS to be kept secret from the media.
This is not the first time the SLCC have lied about meetings with Marsh and the Law Society, as I featured in an earlier article here : MacAskill’s SLCC lied over secret meetings with Law Society & Marsh as quango announces £15k 'study' into master policy & guarantee fund
Scottish Government allegedly now control all FOI requests to law complaints quango. A source today from the Scottish Government confirmed the Justice Department's policy on FOI enquiries to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission : "All Freedom of Information enquiries to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission are now relayed to the Scottish Government due to the scandals surrounding the organisation, some of which have already appeared in the media."
"Ever since leaks sprung from the SLCC last year on the staffing arrangements and arguments over positions which were going exclusively to former Law Society staff, the Justice Secretary himself and senior Justice Department officials have become paranoid over what the commission releases, and have ordered the SLCC to hand over all FOI requests and copies of email communications from certain individuals for their approval before replies are sent out."
“There is no doubt in my mind we are talking about Government backed interference in the FOI process to conceal facts.”
The Scottish Government's concern over Freedom of Information enquiries to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission stems from consistent reporting of problems at the hugely expensive quango, which has spent more time deciding perks for its members, and fumbling through its duties to regulate complaints against Scottish solicitors, rather than cleaning up Scotland's notoriously corrupt legal services sector, which is being hit with spiralling complaints against solicitors who are committing fraud & embezzlement against their clients on an almost daily basis.
You can read more of failures at the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission here : Complaints Commission 'unfit for purpose' as secret meetings with insurers & pensions take focus over consumer protection against crooked lawyers and much more coverage of the SLCC and many of its problems HERE.
Further internal documents from the SLCC reveal existence of non-existent meetings with ICAS and insurers Marsh UK. While the SLCC were busy denying any involvement it had with the infamously corrupt Scottish accountants regulator, ICAS, even more documents are now emerging of the cosy meetings held between Eileen Masterman & the Chief Executive of ICAS. However, while the SLCC has been forced to disclose some material on the secret meetings it claimed never took place, access to any records or minutes of the meetings themselves between SLCC officials and ICAS Executives have been denied for varying reasons, the latest of which amazingly implies that no actual records of the meetings between Ms Masterman and accounting chiefs exist.
ICAS investigation into Borders Accountant Norman Howitt proved to many that self regulation of accountants is as corrupt as self regulation of lawyers. A good example of how the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland handle investigations against crooked accountants, can be found in my own case, here : A picture is worth a thousand words - Images of fraud reveal corruption & deceit by lawyers & accountants in the Scottish Borders
The SLCC and the Scottish Government could not be reached for comment today, however a Law Society insider admitted both the Justice Department and the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission had been caught on the hop with the revelations.
He said : “This is what happens when someone tries to manage the truth and conceal some very dirty business going on behind the scenes, which will no doubt further erode the public credibility of the SLCC if indeed there is any left to speak of.”
So, should the Scottish Government continue working to conceal corruption within the self regulation of complaints against solicitors ? I think not .. and much more needs to be made of this Government interference in the FOI process, which is why the FOI Commissioner Kevinn Dunion will be asked to investigate the SLCC’s conduct in this affair.
56 comments:
Looks like you have spoiled the weekend for someone !
I do like the way the SLCC totally lied over the foi enquiry.Totally lied, no accident at all !
Good work.
Lied in the review too.Pillocks !
SLCC Chief Executive Eileen Masterman arranges meetings with ICAS through crooked insurers Marsh. The round of secret meetings was kicked off by the SLCC's Chief Executive, Eileen Masterman, who wanted meetings with ICAS over discussions on the SLCC's role in monitoring the notoriously corrupt Master Policy & Guarantee Fund, the two compensation schemes run by the Law Society of Scotland which are intended to compensate clients of crooked lawyers who commit negligence while representing their clients legal affairs or stealing clients funds.
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PEOPLE OF SCOTLAND I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES THE ABOVE QUANGO SHOULD BE RENAMED
THE SCOTTISH LEGAL COVERUP COMMISSION.
HERE IS THE PROOF IF ANY WERE NEEDED THAT THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SPENDS A LOT OF YOUR MONEY TO PROTECT CROOKED LAWYERS, CROOKED INSURERS, CROOKED ACCOUNTANTS. MASTERMAN WILL DO WHAT MILL AND HIS COLLEAGUES DID, THE COMMISSION IS A DEPARTMENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY.
THE POLITICIANS HAVE NO INTENTION TO PROTECT THE USERS OF LEGAL SERVICES. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE ANTI LAWYER HOSTILITY WILL GROW. MASTERMAN IS OFFENSIVE, SHE IS A PROTECTOR OF HER OWN PROFESSION, SHE CANNOT HAVE HER MONEY STOLEN BY A LAWYER BUT EXPECTS US TO ACCEPT THAT FATE. THESE PEOPLE ARE OBSESSED WITH PROTECTING THIS CRIMINAL PROFESSION. NEVER TRUST ANY LAWYER. MACASKILL APPOINTED LAWYERS TO THE COMMISSION SO IT TELLS YOU A LOT ABOUT HIS MOTIVES, AND SALMOND APPOINTED MACASKILL AS OUR JUSTICE MINISTER. SOME JUSTICE?
They couldn't find someone else to consult except another self regulator of accountants ?
Sounds like a big stitch up to me but at least you are on top of things with your sources and material.
What is it MacAskill & Co are se desperate to hide? Whatever it is they are going to extraordinary lengths to do so - while being paid by the taxpayer.
Doubtless the FOI Commissioner's deafening silence concerning the redacted documents 'released' by the SLCC to you before (while freely given in complete form to others)will be repeated when this latest fiasco is brought to his attention.
But then, the FOI Commissioner is appointed by the Scottish Government so what would you expect?
FROM WHICH CONSUMER WEBSITE
Law Society fined over complaints Failed to provide adequate system for complaints
18 May 2006
The Law Society has been fined GBP 250,000 for failing to sort out a proper system for dealing with complaints about lawyers.
The Legal Services Complaints Commissioner (LSCC), Zahida Manzoor, announced the fine after slamming the Law Society's complaints-handling plan as 'inadequate'.
The Law Society, which polices solicitors in England and Wales, had initially been asked to put forward a plan on how it could improve its handling of complaints over 12 months starting from April this year.
But Ms Manzoor said the plan didn't deliver 'sufficient improvements...which consumers and practitioners expect and deserve'.
Responding to the fine, Law Society President Kevin Martin said: 'The Law Society has a well-documented track record of improvements in complaints-handling. We have established an independent Consumer Complaints Board to oversee it and provided the board with the budget it asked for.
'It is difficult to see what more we could reasonably do and so this fine flies in the face of logic.
GET ALL LAWYERS OUT OF THE COMPLAINTS HANDLING MACHINERY.
Wouldn't that actually be illegal? MacAskill telling the slcc to cover up these meetings from foi?
Interesting point that Marsh are involved with the Scottish Government ICAs and the Law Society.
I presume they also do work for the slcc given the friendly tone of emails back & forth ?
Does this research they are meeting about on the master policy have any hope in hell of being impartial ?
How much is it costing the taxpayer to keep this bunch in secrets ?
Sack them all along with MacAsskill !
Just an observation here on the letter from the slcc saying they had nothing.
The first letter telling you they held no info is dated 06 May 2009 and the review (which I think is typically carried out in 10 or 15 days time after you ask for a review) is dated 07 May 2009 - the next day !
I know a few things about foi requests and this is the first time ever I have seen that.
Obviously both letters were prepared on the same day or at least at the same time in the knowledge nothing was going to be disclosed to you as per instructions from the Scottish Government or whoever was interfering with your requests.
Really good work you caught them out on this one Peter.
jtc Peter you are correct
all fois to the slcc are copied to Justice on orders from you know who so no wonder you got that back !
What dirty sh*t are icas into that needs covered up ? or was it they had to cover up the icas meetings because that little creep accountant was involved somehow ?
Well Peter you certainly proved the slcc are a big bunch of scummy liars who are now protecting accountants as well as lawyers.
I think they are just as crooked as the politicians who support them and should all be sacked and probably investigated by the Police.Oh and I see there are some ex Police sitting on the slcc so very convenient for them if they ever get caught lying on foi questions too.
A WEBSITE FOR YOU ALL TO CHECK
www.rate-your-solicitor.com
names good and bad solicitors.
About the Law Society of Scotland
The Law Society of Scotland is the governing body for Scottish solicitors. It was established by the Legal Aid & Solicitors (Scotland) Act in 1949. The main aims of the Society are set out in the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980. In essence, the Society promotes the interests of the solicitors' profession (TRUE)in Scotland and the interests of the public in relation to the profession. (NOT TRUE).
THEY PROTECT CROOKED LAWYERS AND CONSEQUENTLY THE MASTER FUND NEVER COMPENSATES CLIENTS AND THIS PLEASES MARSH UK. MR MILL WILL AGREE WITH THIS EVEN THOUGH HE IS NO LONGER THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE DEALING WITH A GROUP OF CRIMINALS. YOU KNOW THAT.
Renewed calls for Kenny MacAskill to resign ...
MacAskill must go
Published Date: Saturday 30 May 2009
After the latest blunders of escapes from our open prisons under the watch of the accident-prone Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, surely the First Minister will finally realise that he cannot continue his loyal support for a man who has upset so many with his determination to introduce damaging justice policies.
His policies have been denounced by judges, sheriffs, the victims of crime and the public in Scotland, who want a safer country to live in and proper justice for those who abuse our way of life.
How many more lives are left in this justice secretary's locker. Regular calamities seem to follow him and his soft-touch justice ideas and, apart from the supoort of the blinkered Alex Salmond, the men and women who don't bother to pay fines or turn up for community service and those who decide to escape from holiday camps such as Castle Huntly, he has little credibility left.
Mr Salmond's standing in Scotland has been badly damaged and will continue to be further dented unless he forgets loyalty and rids himself of this man who has let down Scotland and its world-respected [NOT ANY LONGER!] justice system.
IAIN J McCONNELL
Gifford
East Lothian
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/MacAskill-must-go.5318118.jp
http://shirleymckie.myfastforum.org/sutra3538.php#3538
Impressive investigation.You must be getting to them for those kinds of leaks to occur.
Good work!
The Society promotes the interests of the solicitors' profession in Scotland and the interests of the public in relation to the profession.
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The Society promotes the interests of the solicitors' profession in Scotland. THIS IS UNTRUE BECAUSE BY COVERING UP THE ACTIVITIES OF THEIR MEMBERS, THE PUBLIC HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONCLUDE ALL LAWYERS ARE CROOKS. THEY CERTAINLY DO NOT LOOK AFTER THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN SCOTLAND. THEY ARE THE LAWYERS PROTECTION SOCIETY SO NEVER TRUST ANY LAWYER. WE ALL KNOW THAT LAWYERS AND HONESTY ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
WARNING, CHECK SOLICITORS FROM HELL AND ALL PRESSURE GROUP WEBSITES BEFORE YOU GO TO A LAWYER.
Very good Peter and while MacAskill is busy personally blocking your FoI investigations he is also signing release orders on escaped prisoners !
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/MacAskill-approved-leave-for-murderer.5318257.jp
MacAskill approved leave for murderer who went on run
Published Date: 30 May 2009
By David Maddox, Scottish Political Correspondent
JUSTICE secretary Kenny MacAskill personally signed the order allowing a convicted murderer to go on temporary leave before he absconded, it has emerged.
The revelation has heaped yet more pressure on the beleaguered minister as he fights to save his job.
He was forced to deny rumours he had already quit yesterday after it emerged he had decided not to attend today's Homecoming Scottish Cup final at Hampden.
It has also emerged that the absconder, John Brown, had already had his licence revoked once before because he had failed to meet his conditions by not turning up for appointments with the police.
The issue has blown up because of anger over another escape by a dangerous criminal, Brian Martin, a week before.
Mr MacAskill was forced to admit that Martin – known as the Hawk – who was serving time for armed robbery, should never have been put into an open prison.
To add to the justice secretary's woes, more questions have been asked about why he did not inform MSPs of Brown's escape, even though the issue of absconders was raised in First Minister's Questions on Thursday.
The Scottish Government said this was because it was up to Tayside Police to issue a statement on the escape.
However, both government officials and Tayside Police have admitted no discussion took place over what could be said, even though ministers were expecting the issue to be raised in the parliament.
Labour and the Tories called on Mr MacAskill to step down, with Labour starting a petition demanding he be sacked.
Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker said: "Mr MacAskill keeps on with his monologue about operational responsibility, but he personally signed off a murderer's release and yet takes no responsibility.
"He is guilty of gross political cowardice."
However, opposition parties have been criticised by the Prison Officers Association and Dr Andrew McLellan, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, for playing politics on the issue.
They warned that the row could undermine the use of open prisons.
Privately, Scottish Government insiders admit it has been "a very difficult time", fuelling speculation that the minister may go.
But a spokesman said: "There is no reason for him to go. Absconds have dropped dramatically under Kenny MacAskill to one-fifth the level they were under Labour and one-eighth under the Tories."
Salmond faces probe over failure to tell MSPs of hunt for convict
ALEX Salmond, the First Minister, looks set to be investigated following claims that he misled parliament.
Iain Gray, the Scottish Labour leader, has reported Mr Salmond to a special committee after he failed to tell MSPs on Thursday about an abscondence from Castle Huntly.
Mr Salmond answered questions on the recently recaptured absconder Brian Martin but, while praising his government's record, he failed to mention that convicted murderer John Burt Brown had escaped the night before.
Mr Gray said this means the First Minister broke the ministerial code by withholding information and misinforming parliament.
The referral was described as "cheap party-political point-scoring" by a Scottish Government source.
Former Presiding Officers Sir David Steel and George Reid will now consider the issue and decide whether they believe the code was breached.
Fifteen MSP politicians claimed for wreaths for rememberance Sunday. Yes politics is a filthy business for the trash in our society.
TAKEN FROM THE BBC WEBSITE
Police action urged over expenses
David Cameron
Mr Cameron admitted the actions of some MPs had damaged the party
MPs who claimed for "phantom" mortgages on expenses should be investigated by the police and prosecuted if warranted, Tory leader David Cameron has said.
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Well Davd Cameron I think we will have another cash for honours coverup. Parliament and politicians are tarnished, like lawyers, and prosecutions will be required to restore public confidence in the political system.
Self regulation = Self protection, the High Court battle by FOI pressure groups has shown MP's incapable of restraint. Time and time again it is shown that self regulation, creates exploitation, this time the taxpeyer is the victim.
Any profession with self regulation, will protect that profession. They have too much power for this corrupt system to remain. All self regulators are criminals, accountants, lawyers, doctors, public bodies.
We demand that MP's and MSP's end this corrupt system now.
AOL NEWS.
Any MPs who committed a crime by claiming taxpayer-funded cash for non-existent mortgages should "face the full force of the law", Tory leader David Cameron has said.
MAGIC MP'S & MSP's CAUGHT IN THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT NET.
THE WAY YOU ARE TALKING DAVE ANYONE WOULD THINK YOU WANT TO BE THE MEXT PRIME MINISTER.
MacAskill and anyone else involved in lying to block foi should resign or be sacked immeidately
JUSTICE secretary Kenny MacAskill personally signed the order allowing a convicted murderer to go on temporary leave before he absconded, it has emerged.
MACASKILL THE PROTECTOR OF THE LAW SOCIETY/SLCC FAILS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM DANGEROUS CRIMINALS AS WELL AS CROOKED LAWYERS. GO MACASKILL AND TAKE SALMOND WITH YOU. NO MORE LAWYERS AT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PLEASE.
A well known Hamilton company had a Hamilton GP working as their Medical Officer. The GP has now retired.
The GP was a good friend of one of the companies directors. This arrangement ensured that if any employees were injured and their injuries were not visible the employer was protected from prosecution for a failure of their duty of care.
Litigation doctors and lawyers always protect the employer, even more so when a GP is the companies medical officer. If your employer has a GP employed in a similar capacity the latter is there to get around the health & safety laws if an employee is injured at work.
I have a document on my desk called Reforming complaints handling, Building consumer confidence. This was about the Regulation of the Legal Profession in Scotland, issued by the justice minister to everyone in who complained to the Law Society about their lawyer. In 2005 the justice minister was Cathy Jamieson. Miss Jamieson's ministerial foreword stated
"Scotland needs a justice system that is accessible, efficient and fair. I am committed to reforming and modernising our justice services to meet the needs of all those who use them--whether in the civil or criminal courts".
This resulted in the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, and it has been a massive abuse of taxpayers money. Salmond appointed MacAskill, the latter appointed Masterman etc to the commission and the farce which has followed demonstrates that LAWYERS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE COMPLAINTS PROCESS.
It is simple, the public will name and shame lawyers themselves, and those shamed will lose their clients. The internet is a powerful medium to share information. Targetting clients is the way forward, so that they have a database like the ones used for stolen cars etc, to check the integrity of a lawyer or law firm.
The SLCC has demonstrated that lawyers corrupt the complaints system and will protect their own at all costs. We can draw parallels with the parliamentary crisis at Westminster which proves self regulators protect their own. Politicians are failing the people of Scotland.
AOL NEWS
Guards feared Shipman might kill
Last Updated: Saturday, 30 May 2009, 13:22 GMT
Prison guards feared Dr Harold Shipman would continue his killing spree behind bars
Prison guards feared Harold Shipman would continue his killing spree behind bars when he told one inmate: "Remember I am a doctor; I know where to cut you," it has emerged.
Prison officials warned the serial killer, who was imprisoned in 200 for the murder of a string of patients, could kill again after he began 'grooming' inmates in the hospital wing of the high security jail where he was kept for his own protection.
A prison dossier seen by the Daily Mail described how staff feared Shipman might "play God" if he saw a prisoner looking frail.
Shipman befriended one wheelchair-bound prisoner at HMP Frankland in Durham, who he pushed around the health centre, and fetched and carried meals for others.
But experts insisted he be banned from contact with all vulnerable inmates for fear it could act as a trigger to further killing, documents have revealed. They said he showed a lack of empathy and remorse for any of his victims and was in "total denial" about his crimes.
ANYONE WHO HAS EVER HAD CAUSE TO QUESTION A DOCTOR WHO LIES IN MEDICAL RECORDS WILL KNOW THAT "TOTAL DENIAL" IS A CULTURAL ASPECT OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
DISHONEST CROOKS, A NECESSARY EVIL.
I assume you got hold of these documents before whoever it was did the foi request which the commission responded with a double lie.
Nothing less than a full investigation and resignation or sacking of those involved will clear this one up.Until that happens,the commission and MacAskill have no credibility
Treat lawyers like rattlesnakes, avoid them at all costs as far as practicable. They believe your money is their's for the taking.
The criminals at the Law Society/SLCC will bar you from justice, to keep the lawyer sqeaky clean. The Legal Complaints Commission are authorised to lie, what chance of justice will you have?
Crooks protecting crooks, the antithesis of a fair unbiased justice system.
Anonymous said...
TAKEN FROM THE BBC WEBSITE
Police action urged over expenses David Cameron
"Mr Cameron admitted the actions of some MPs had damaged the party".
-------------------------------------
Mr Cameron should have said,
The actions of some MP's are damaging my chances of becoming the next prime minister. Prosecutions will enhance my chances of getting into number 10.
Politicians like lawyers are driven by their own self interest.
Law schools are where these criminals start their careers. By the time they graduate dishonesty is part of everyday life. Professional loyalty is a large part of the law school culture.
Probably you are all correct and MacAskill should go but if anyone watched Ian Gray and MacA on the BBC's Politics show its fairly obvious he wont go due to the weak opposition parties who are all squabbling among themselves on the prisoner escape issue anyway.
If you do want MacA to have to resign I suggest some scandalous re3velations of a very sleazy nature.I hear there are some around which might be of use.
Law Society of Scotland 'takes huge salaries & expenses perks from lawyers subscriptions to fund lavish lifestyles of top executives'.
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Just like MP's and the taxpayer, salary plus expenses. Lawyers. doctors, accountants, public bodies need to be subjected to scrutiny by a totally independent complaints board.
"The way the Law Society handled the scandal surrounding Andrew Penman in the 1990s, and derailed his prosecution before the SSDT has cost us all dearly."
He went on :“Saving Private Penman has led to a slew of media coverage of cases involving rogue solicitors and huge corruption scandals within the profession which has tarnished us all for life, ultimately costing all members our reputations and incalculable lost business while the staff within the Society award themselves promotions and huge salaries out of our contributions. They have obviously caused the profession much more harm than good and now be forced out."
-----------------------------------
The lawyer who said the above is acting out of self interest. If the scandals were not reported in the press thereby damaging the reputation of all lawyers, would he or she be saying this?
I appeal to any honest lawyers out there, (may be as rare as rocking horse manure) if you do nothing wrong why are you afraid of independent regulation?
The battle continues, we will win because we will inform potential clients to avoid law firms who provide poor or corrupt service.
Conversely if you provide good service we will set up a website to recommend law firms.
From what I can see this is happening in many western countries, because you are a criminal profession. Clients will not tolerate this any more. Cleans yourselves, push for independent complaints handling, and get Masterman and her entourage back to the Law Society where they belong.
Victims of lawyers, like me you want justice, name and shame your lawyer on SOLICITORS FROM HELL, I HAVE.
Do not go to the Law Society/Scottish Legal Coverup Commission. They will torture you emotionally to protect their own. You will send letter after letter and get nowhere. They are the saviours of crooked lawyers, I PROMISE YOU WILL HIT A SOLID WALL OF RESISTANCE IF YOU DEAL WITH MASTERMAN AND HER COLLEAGUES.
AOL NEWS
Gordon Brown says there are "clear cases" of MPs who may (YES GORDON VAGUE STATEMENT AS USUAL) have broken the law over expense claims but insisted that only "a few" MPs had abused the Westminster perks system. GORDON'S DOING A DOUGLAS MILL.
The Prime Minister said he planned to introduce a binding "code of conduct" (WE HOPE IT IS BETTER THAN THE SCOTTISH LEGAL COMPLAINTS COMMISSION) for MPs and warned other public institutions they would also face tougher scrutiny as part of a bid to clean up the system. GOOD GORDON, SO LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS, MEDICS, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, WILL HAVE A COMPLAINTS SYSTEM THE PUBLIC CAN TRUST?
And he hinted that an independent review of the pay and perks system would call for a ban on controversial "golden handshake" pay-offs for MPs who stand down. KICK THEM OUT NOW WITHOUT THE HANDOUT, IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT WESTMINSTER'S REPUTATION, SALMOND'S LOT ARE THE SAME. POLITICS IN THE GUTTER WITH THE ABOVE PROFESSIONS.
So the lawyers have run to accountants to prop up their corrupt complaints procedures ?
I think we need to hear a lot more about this and all the backhanders and corruption going on between lawyers and accountants saving their own hides after fleecing the rest of us
'Ill' lawyer stalls drug sentence
A lawyer who smuggled drugs into a jail failed to appear for sentencing because she has been getting psychiatric help.
Angela Baillie, 32, from Newton Mearns, admitted passing heroin and valium to a prisoner in Glasgow's Barlinnie jail.
The High Court in Edinburgh was shown evidence from a psychiatrist confirming Baillie was unfit to leave the premises where she was being treated. STRANGE SHE WAS FIT ENOUGH TO TAKE THE DRUGS INTO PRISON.
Defence QC Paul McBride said the solicitor has bi-polar disorder. YES MAKE THIS PUBLIC WHEN SHE NEEDS COMPASSION. She will be sentenced on 20 April.
Mr McBride indicated he will make a plea for leniency on grounds of diminished responsibility. YES McBRIDE THE SAME AS YOU ASKED THE PF TO DROP CHARGES AGAINST HAGGARTY. THE PATTERN IS CLEAR. WHERE IS THE COMPASSION FOR THE VICTIMS OF CROOKED LAWYERS? LAWYERS ARE CROOKED DEVIANT BASTARDS.
He said doctors believe that at the time of the offence, Baillie was suffering "a major depressive episode". THE DOCTOR'S HAVE LEGAL PRIVILIDGE, ANOTHER BUNCH OF LYING BASTARDS.
In February, she appeared at the High Court in Paisley and admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and diazepam.
The Crown said she made £52,556 from drug dealing and steps have been taken to strip her of her assets. CLEARLY CRIME PAYS IF YOU ARE ONE OF SCOTLAND'S LEGAL PROFESSION.
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The legal profession are corrupt to the core. The authorities clearly do not care about the public image of these criminals. It is like a legal dictatorship, one law for the professionals and the wrath of the courts for the rest of us. The lawyer who represented Macdeal also stood by Haggarty. You are all dammed in the court of public opinion. The legal club have sewer rat morals. They belong in the sewers.
The Westminster expenses scandal, the Law Society, the Complaints Commission, the General Medical Council, the ICAS, the system and the country are being run by criminals. Their so called mistakes always ensure money flows into their bank accounts, not out.
Leaving your money in law firms, is dangerous. You will lose it and will not be compensated.
Lawyers are vermin parasites preying on unsuspecting clients because they know their Obergruppenfuhrer's at the Law Society will cover everything up.
Lawyer Nazi's are alive and kicking in Scotland, screwing clients for every penny they can get.
What you are demonstrating here Peter is a powerful club SLCC/Law Society for screwing clients and protecting the perpetrators.
This quango lying regarding meetings with Marsh and ICAS is a powerful indicator of how complaints against lawyers will be dealt with. No wonder all lawyers are stained with the dishonesty stigma.
I must protest the comment made at 1154am
I am a law student and so far no one has taught me to be a 'crooked lawyer'.
Get a grip of your views.If you want to change things come along to the University and speak to us about your vies on the law.Even Peter Cherbi would (and should) agree with that !
The comment from the law student - well said !
I am curious to know how the slcc will explain this matter where there is clear involvement with icas and marsh.
Obviously that involvement was supposed to be secret but with what documents you have produced the information commissioner will have little option in his investigation - the slcc did lie and from your investigation it sounds like they were told to lie by either the Justice secretary or someone in his office.
Keep us informed !
I've read of ministerial involvement in freedom of information requests down in London but this is the first time I have heard about it in Scotland.
Could it be that since several SNP politicians have links to icas or are actually accountants themselves they censored this foi investigation to hide those affiliations ?
If as your report suggests the SNP are censoring FOI to hide scandal & corruption just as some tried at Westminster they should be thrown out with the rest of the crooks in the main parties who are unfit to run the country being too busy filling their own pockets.
Mr Cherbi,
I just wanted to say Mr Nigel Scullion of Scullion Solicitors in Hamilton gave me good legal advice. He did not charge me either.
I am sure he would not sue another lawyer for a client, but he seems a decent chap if you need non confrontational legal advice.
I like your blog very much, and I agree that independent complaints handling will be vital to deal with the bad guys that are ruining the reputation of lawyers in Scotland.
I must protest the comment made at 1154am
I am a law student and so far no one has taught me to be a 'crooked lawyer'.
Get a grip of your views.If you want to change things come along to the University and speak to us about your vies on the law.Even Peter Cherbi would (and should) agree with that !
-----------------------------------
I have studied law, contract, delict, agency, adjudication, arbitration, etc so what, so I have a fair knowledge. My views are strong because of the way the crooked lawyers treated me. If you are at Glasgow University Douglas Mill will keep you right. It is a filthy corrupt profession where self regulation protects the guilty.
Dear "Law student".How long have you been studying law ? Do they teach you anything about client expectations of honesty in your curriculum ? I ask this with interest as I made a complaint to the Law Society about my solicitor who threatened to sue us for non payment of a 7k legal bill he sent me for work he had to admit to the Law Society he had not done.
Mr Yelland who I see is featured plenty on this blog eventually wrote to me letting me know the complaint was dismissed because our solicitor said he had "made a mistake and would no longer pursue us for the account".
I was never allowed to see the result of the complaints investigation but a reporter found out our solicitor's own solicitor at the complaints hearing said his client should not face action because he had studied for so many years to become a solicitor.
I wrote back to Mr Yelland asking about this to be told I was not entitled to know what was said on my solicitor's behalf so it seems spend a few years at uni to become a lawyer and you can get away with being a right bloody crook simply on the basis you studied to become a lawyer.
You say you want to hear from clients ? Well there's plenty here to read about what really happens in and out of lawyers offices.My solicitor threatened to take out an inhibition on our house until we paid his legal bill for the work he never did.How do you think that makes me and my family feel about lawyers ?
Thanks for all your comments & emails on this article.
I have listened to many of your ideas and suggestions, which I will send on to Scotland's FOI Commissioner, Kevin Dunion, given the conduct of the SLCC must be investigated.
I have looked into certain unpublished comments today naming individuals, solicitors, and one MSP connected to ICAS all of whom may not want themselves in the headlines, but as I have confirmed the allegations this evening, I will pass on the details to a newspaper given what appears to be issues of criminality more suited for wider public circulation - so, thanks for the tip.
I just want to make a quick comment on the issues raised by Anonymous @ 12.04pm, from someone apparently studying law.
I have had a number of law students contact me on issues I write about, and I find that once we speak, our conversations help their understanding of matters relating to regulation and the public attitude towards the legal profession.
I would recommend groups and campaigners to engage law students in discussion ... it does help, and as many law students have indicated, is a welcome break from what many seem to feel are now unrealistic teachings in Scots law schools - their words, not mine.
# Anonymous @ 4.50pm
Maybe, but as someone said, you can't be just a little bit pregnant ... so free advice but a lack of willingness to take on a case isn't much good for clients or access to justice in general.
# Anonymous @ 7.44pm
If you would like to send me some more details on your case, perhaps publication and a good naming & shaming of all those involved would assist matters - not only for you but also to warn any other prospective client of your solicitor.
To the person who left the comment at 7:.44
You are correct in your comments to the upset law student. There are many thousands of people who go to university each year and we work as hard as lawyers.
The latter have horrific power, that is the difference and they are protected by a corrupt complaints system. We have an us and them situation and the victims of crooked lawyers are sick of being victimised, having our money stolen and our lives ruined in some cases. So law students, as this person has pointed out there are many many sites you can visit and read the opinions of those victims of your future profession, should you choose to become a lawyer. When you join a law firm, you will have to sing their song or you will be surplus to requirements.
# Anonymous @ 4.50pm
Maybe, but as someone said, you can't be just a little bit pregnant ... so free advice but a lack of willingness to take on a case isn't much good for clients or access to justice in general.
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Yes Peter, you are right about not taking the case on, thanks for your feedback.
Interesting reply as always Peter.
I look forward to reading more of what you talked about involving an msp and "criminality".Tear their guts out laddie !
"I would recommend groups and campaigners to engage law students in discussion ... it does help, and as many law students have indicated, is a welcome break from what many seem to feel are now unrealistic teachings in Scots law schools - their words, not mine."
Good idea Peter but most of the lecturers are sponsored in some way or another by the Law Society of Scotland or various other arms of the legal profession so I don't think clients with experiences of crooked lawyers will be welcomed into the uni.Still a good idea though.
Law students cannot comprehend the damage lawyers can do. Insult is then added to injury when we find the Law Society of Scotland has a cover up culture, and there is nowhere victims of crooked lawyers can go.
Students please note that is why we have
Mr Cherbi's diary.
Scotland Against Crooked Lawyers.
Solicitors from Hell, and many more pressure groups.
Lawyers are protected because exposure will destroy their career. The Law Society/SLCC/SSDT are not the answer for us. We will expose bent lawyers ourselves. So remember the growing Anti Lawyer Internet Industry when you graduate, because one day some of you may be on the internet for the wrong reasons. Veritas is the primary defence for defamation and many of us have our documents.
I am a graduate of Strathclyde University and I know the work a degree requires. It is however moraly wrong for lawyers to deal with client's complaints because a cover up will be the result. Just remember what has been written here.
Thanks for publishing my comment Mr Cherbi.
I agree it would be useful to hear more from the public or clients who have experienced the negative side of the legal profession.
Anonymous said...
Thanks for publishing my comment Mr Cherbi.
I agree it would be useful to hear more from the public or clients who have experienced the negative side of the legal profession.
10:32 AM
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YOU ARE ALL CRIMINALS, SELF PROTECTING ROBBERS.
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