tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post509469067718201129..comments2024-03-24T23:01:57.640+00:00Comments on The Justice Diaries: 'Penman Levy' leads to civil war within Scotland's legal profession as solicitors battle Law Society on fat cat salaries & wasted millionsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-51072552674204758732009-05-29T11:29:20.380+01:002009-05-29T11:29:20.380+01:00Parliament should pass legislation to stop MP's em...Parliament should pass legislation to stop MP's employing relatives in any capacity. <br />Independent regulation must now apply to all professions and public bodies. We have a subculture of self protection in this country, and this needs to be obliterated. Those who stand against this principle are criminals themselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-47842104873557809462009-05-29T11:10:25.728+01:002009-05-29T11:10:25.728+01:00"The way the Law Society handled the scandal surro..."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."<br />-------------------------------------<br />The lawyer who stated this is correct. The way things are now, people do not trust the profession, and rightly so. Lawyers have a licence to steal, because they know their masters will protect them. The Law Society cannot stomach the prosecution of their members. The civil war brewing in the profession, is not about the way clients who complain are treated. It is about fat cats in the Law Society/SLCC, not giving lawyers value for money. Justice for clients of crooked lawyers is not on their priority list. They are all the same as Douglas Mill, crooks hell bent of protecting the few at the expense of the people of Scotland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-19850032719012567412009-05-29T10:01:38.742+01:002009-05-29T10:01:38.742+01:00I dont think Neil would want the justice post now ...I dont think Neil would want the justice post now that Macaskill has damaged the office so much.Another choice ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-51733327377084411572009-05-29T01:12:44.980+01:002009-05-29T01:12:44.980+01:00Alex Neil at justice ?
Yes I'd go for that.Its ab...Alex Neil at justice ?<br /><br />Yes I'd go for that.Its about time people got their letters answered to the Justice Secretary properly and action taken on them rather than allow MacAskill to sit back and do nothing.<br /><br />Who is the case you mention about one of MacAskill's constituents?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-30787126789735335402009-05-29T00:40:23.623+01:002009-05-29T00:40:23.623+01:00A wise answer Peter.
I would never figure you for...A wise answer Peter.<br /><br />I would never figure you for a politician but regulation is definitely your area of expertise.<br /><br />I wouldn't want to be a politician on the take with you on the hunt !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-16328040886247045912009-05-28T23:48:05.509+01:002009-05-28T23:48:05.509+01:00# Anonymous @ 2.48pm
No thanks, although I wouldn...# Anonymous @ 2.48pm<br /><br />No thanks, although I wouldn't mind regulating them the independent way ...<br /><br /># Anonymous @ 3.25pm<br /><br />No he did not, and I do not expect him to.<br /><br />I believe Mr Flint's primary interest is in the profession itself, nothing to do with the interests of clients from what I read in the Scotsman.<br /><br /># Anonymous @ 7.18pm<br /><br />Thanks, and many good points in your letter too.<br /><br />FOI should certainly apply to all professions and public services, along with fully independent, accountable regulation.<br /><br /># Anonymous @ 8.39pm<br /><br />Clearly a good example of Freedom of Information legislation exposing corruption and actions tantamount to criminality.<br /><br /># Anonymous @ 9.43pm<br /><br />Yes, I agree with your statement. I hope Mr Penman is well thought of in the legal profession for all the trouble he has caused ...<br /><br /># Anonymous @ 10.23pm<br /><br />Yes I saw Reporting Scotland and that particular report on the second prisoner escape.<br /><br />I don't think there is much chance of Mr MacAskill resigning over that (shouldnt it be someone from the SPS to go ?) but there are a number of other issues which do merit the replacement of Kenny MacAskill as Justice Secretary, one for instance that he is not doing a good job on reform of regulation of legal services, or reform of public access to justice.<br /><br />However, as I understand matters, Mr MacAskill has an abused, disabled and very ill constituent whom he refuses to help on an issue which he, in his position could probably resolve in an afternoon.<br /><br />If the man wont resign for allowing someone to die, which the case may very well end up in, then god only knows what could give Scotland a better Justice Secretary.<br /><br />For replacements at Justice, I vote Alex Neil .. and the good thing is he isn't a lawyer !Diary of Injusticehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00697476580161690118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-72545475803616446052009-05-28T22:34:27.530+01:002009-05-28T22:34:27.530+01:00People of Scotland, name ans shame your lawyer. Ch...People of Scotland, name ans shame your lawyer. Check the following website.<br /><br />SOLICITORS FROM HELLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-69078491068210776212009-05-28T22:23:52.597+01:002009-05-28T22:23:52.597+01:00Just curious Peter
Did you see Reporting Scotland...Just curious Peter<br /><br />Did you see Reporting Scotland tonight ?<br /><br />there was a story on it about kenny MacAskill and an escaped prisoner (again)<br /><br />Do you think he should resign over it ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-68860197586423585172009-05-28T21:43:28.776+01:002009-05-28T21:43:28.776+01:00Modest as always Peter.
Penman's antics have dest...Modest as always Peter.<br /><br />Penman's antics have destroyed the Law Society's credibility and with it every solicitor in Scotland.<br />Same goes for the slcc after all you've written about it and the people on it.<br /><br />I agree with you it will never be cleaned up from inside so we just have to get rid of the lot of them and start again.<br /><br />Good luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-65498166997724821132009-05-28T20:39:37.139+01:002009-05-28T20:39:37.139+01:00TAKEN FROM AOL NEWS. Two MPs step down over expens...TAKEN FROM AOL NEWS. Two MPs step down over expenses row<br /><br />Tory backbencher Julie Kirkbride has succumbed to intense pressure over her expenses by saying she will stand down as an MP.<br /><br />At the same time, Luton South Labour MP Margaret Moran announced she will also stand down at the next election.<br />Bromsgrove MP Ms Kirkbride followed her husband, Andrew MacKay, in announcing her departure from parliament at the next general election.<br />The couple came under fire when it emerged that Commons allowances had been used to simultaneously fund both the homes where they lived.<br />In a resignation letter to party leader David Cameron, Ms Kirkbride wrote: "Today I am announcing that I will not seek re-election for my Bromsgrove constituency. My principal concern has to be for my very loyal local supporters in Bromsgrove whose trust in me has been very humbling in the last few weeks.<br />"I also want to see the Conservative Party have a great result in next week's elections, which will lead to a real change at the general election and you as our prime minister. I also must take into account the effects on my family."<br />Margaret Moran, the Luton South MP, has been under fire after it was disclosed that she claimed £22,500 for treating dry rot at her partner's home in Southampton, 100 miles from both her constituency and Westminster. <br />-----------------------------------<br />Without the FOI act we would not have known the extent of the expenses abuse. <br />Clearly the Law Society have much to hide as they do not want FOI Act to apply to them. They are in a much weaker position today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-29099088322815131762009-05-28T19:45:34.348+01:002009-05-28T19:45:34.348+01:00I noticed a sticker for a car window on the intern...I noticed a sticker for a car window on the internet, it states "Ban animal testing, use lawyers instead".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-48034671107233082722009-05-28T19:18:47.530+01:002009-05-28T19:18:47.530+01:00Good Evening Peter
I have sent a letter to the Ha...Good Evening Peter<br /><br />I have sent a letter to the Hamilton Advertiser (below), hopefully they will publish it.<br /><br /><br />I write regarding the above letter "Once Proud Parliament is now Mother or Corruption" letter from W S McGeary. The Speaker of the house Mr Martin stood in the way of reform at Westminster. There is perhaps some truth that MP's were trying to focus attention on Mr Martin in an attempt to exonerate themselves, but of course they could not escape the attentions of the press.<br />MP's are now living with the consequences of Freedom of Information laws, and the public exposure of their corrupt expenses claims are there for all to see.<br />Self regulation creates corruption in any profession. Lawyers investigate complaints from the public about other lawyers, doctors investigate doctors. If any of your readers want to know more about the system they should look at, Scotland Against Crooked Lawyers, www.sacl/info and A Diary of Injustice in Scotland by Peter Cherbi.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-59692303182634676932009-05-28T19:12:18.816+01:002009-05-28T19:12:18.816+01:00"To those who admire the blog .. bear in mind..."To those who admire the blog .. bear in mind there are many people suffering at the hands of corrupt professionals, and not just lawyers. These victims need help & assistance, and the public must be educated that self regulation is simply another word for corruption."<br /><br />Yes from what I gather from reading your blog there are thousands of complaints a year the Law Society does nothing about.Its time to do the same to the lawyers thats happening to the mps in London.<br /><br />GET THEM OUTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-31777876957857970852009-05-28T16:29:24.814+01:002009-05-28T16:29:24.814+01:00Spot on Peter !
There will never be a better time...Spot on Peter !<br /><br />There will never be a better time to out these thugs and shame them for all to see now their political allies are in a mess too.<br /><br />Also "ACTION NOW" comment is spot on too !!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-42057500507953216782009-05-28T15:25:37.573+01:002009-05-28T15:25:37.573+01:00Just out of interest did Flint contact you at all ...Just out of interest did Flint contact you at all ?<br /><br />It seems you both might have the best interests of the profession at heart even if a few snot nosed (or crooked) lawyers dont see it that way !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-67728689166618589572009-05-28T14:48:03.820+01:002009-05-28T14:48:03.820+01:00You should be in politics Peter.Its people like yo...You should be in politics Peter.Its people like you we actually need to take a stand against scum like this.<br /><br />Hope one day to see you giving them hell in parliament !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-52137434057360225752009-05-28T14:28:17.768+01:002009-05-28T14:28:17.768+01:00Thanks for all your comments & emails on this ...Thanks for all your comments & emails on this article.<br /><br />I certainly agree that Mr Flint would have been better incorporating some thoughts regarding the impact his arguments on a reduction in the cost of the annual practising certificate might well have on the public's access to legal services in Scotland.<br /><br />However, this seems to be more of a straight fight between the membership and the Law Society itself over money, nothing much to do with the interests of clients.<br /><br />I imagine as some of you have already pointed out, the costs will ultimately be borne by clients anyway.<br /><br />A number of you do appear to feel angry over the amounts of money being flung at both complaints regulators, while the only job they appear to do well is to whitewash any complaints they get their hands on.<br /><br />I'd say, given the circumstances, and all the recent publicity on the Westminster expenses scandals, your anger is justified.<br /><br />I would encourage those of you who feel strongly enough about such issues to protest publicly and ensure words gets around that it is not only politicians who are milking the system. The friends of politicians - lawyers, accountants and so on, are just as guilty for ripping off the public and their clients, as MPs and MSPs are ripping off the entire country and each and every one of us ..<br /><br />To those of you who left comments regarding my own case, involving Andrew Penman ... well, I can assure you, and every reader, there are literally thousands of Andrew Penmans within the membership of the Law Society of Scotland.<br /><br />I was just lucky enough that, at the time, the Scotsman newspaper had a sense of reporting and campaigning on such matters .. which at the time it did very well.<br /><br />What the Penman case did bring out, was a willingness on the media's part to report many more similar cases, where justice was not done for clients, while thoroughly guilty and crooked solicitors were protected by the Law Society of Scotland's system of self regulation and now it seems, the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission's arrogance towards any clients making complaints against their solicitors.<br /><br />The system has not been cleaned up and it will certainly never be cleaned up from within - there is too much money at stake for those within the Law Society of Scotland, and the membership who would mainly rather help themselves than help the public.<br /><br />To those who admire the blog .. bear in mind there are many people suffering at the hands of corrupt professionals, and not just lawyers. These victims need help & assistance, and the public must be educated that self regulation is simply another word for corruption.<br /><br />I was actually invited to the AGM by a solicitor, but I declined to attend. I did not feel there would be anything to be gained for clients or the issues I campaign on, from heading along to the event ...Diary of Injusticehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00697476580161690118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-67544627015331521052009-05-28T13:43:16.796+01:002009-05-28T13:43:16.796+01:00Lots of rent boys hanging around the Sheraton toda...Lots of rent boys hanging around the Sheraton today,I hope the tabloid journos got some good pics of married scumbag lawyers doing the dirty on their wives !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-15222483943189397102009-05-28T12:27:01.872+01:002009-05-28T12:27:01.872+01:00Jobless in the UK now around 3millions if the true...Jobless in the UK now around 3millions if the true figure is made known but these greedy shits are getting £1300 a week and more just to protect bent lawyers who steal from their clients<br /><br />I propose a general uprising to throw out all these wasters and kick out all lawyers and jail the ones who are robbing the rest of usACTION NOWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-31775105384496761642009-05-28T10:06:05.134+01:002009-05-28T10:06:05.134+01:00To the comment at 413pm
I agree although I feel t...To the comment at 413pm<br /><br />I agree although I feel that every potential client of a lawyer should be made aware of Peter's blog so that when the inevitable happens (lawyer rips off client) they know how to handle it or avoid the whole thing in the first place by doing as much of the work themselves as they can.<br /><br />Hire a lawyer and you are basically putting a gun in your mouth.Its just a case of when the lawyer feels like pulling the trigger on you and decorating the wall with what little brains sent you along to the lawyer in the first place !enragednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-76251794731150200162009-05-27T21:35:50.393+01:002009-05-27T21:35:50.393+01:00Peter.I have just found your blog.It is amazing !
...Peter.I have just found your blog.It is amazing !<br /><br />There are not many people able to speak about the legal profession unless they have fell victim to it and actually survived to tell the tale.You are definitely one of those.<br /><br />After reading some of the things that happened to you and people you probably know I feel it is about time that lawyers got the same treatment as criminals and are locked up beginning with all of those at the Law society itself<br /><br />Keep up the good work !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-14180339378639372262009-05-27T18:40:57.400+01:002009-05-27T18:40:57.400+01:00I'm not so sure about Flint and all this hooha ove...I'm not so sure about Flint and all this hooha over contributions.<br /><br />I wonder if its a Law Society ploy to have another go at getting rid of the slcc which they dont want to exist anyway.<br /><br />If there's trouble the Society can always say its coming from the membership and they have to act rather than take the blame themselves.<br /><br />Worth looking into I think, Peter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-107442418374002332009-05-27T16:13:37.331+01:002009-05-27T16:13:37.331+01:00We cannot change professional loyalties between la...We cannot change professional loyalties between lawyers but we can warn others how they operate and how they shield each other from the consequences of their criminal activities.<br />Mr Cherbi's case has done the legal profession a lot of damage, but lawyers should remember that it is the corruption in Peter's case that is affecting the professions reputation. Mill's Law Society stopped Peter's legal aid etc, that and other things in the case is what has damaged you all. Peter's blog is brilliant, and he and we are doing what any of you lawyers would do if you were on the recieving end of this injustice. The Law Society of Scotland is damaging all lawyers by protecting the crooks. We victims can accept nothing less than a complaints body devoid of lawyers and their supporters. No lawyer will go against another lawyer for a member of the public, a cosy situation indeed. The anti lawyer industry grows day by day, because we do not accept the status quo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-63596853816088460822009-05-27T15:55:21.293+01:002009-05-27T15:55:21.293+01:00"The Society said the decision to retain cash was ..."The Society said the decision to retain cash was approved by a vote of its members and said the increase in the cost of the chief executive office was misleading as the cost was artificially low in 2007 because of unfilled vacancies. It defended its decision to cancel the relocation of its offices, and described the incurred costs as "reasonable" for a transaction of that size. "<br /><br />Is that the best the LSS can come up with ? Definitely the final straw for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-36557809426030971412009-05-27T14:26:16.362+01:002009-05-27T14:26:16.362+01:00The irony of lawyers arguing against high fees !
...The irony of lawyers arguing against high fees !<br /><br />They would never do such a thing for their clients.Greedy bastardsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com