Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Glasgow City Council to evict Grandmother from home with £30k purchase order ‘that wouldn’t cover cocaine scandal bill of shamed ex leader Purcell'

City Council ChambersGlasgow City Council evicts Grandmother for £30k to make way for Commonwealth Games. GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL have been granted permission to evict a grandmother from her own home to make way for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, offering the meagre sum of £30,000 in a compulsory purchase order which today was dubbed by a legal insider “so cheap for the Council it wouldn’t even cover the amount spent on & used to cover up the scandal of cocaine usage by it’s ex shamed leader, Steven Purcell”.

For a reminder of the Steven Purcell cocaine scandal and its cost to Glasgow, read our earlier coverage HERE.

Advocate Gerry Moynihan, representing Glasgow City Council was on hand to put things right (for the Council) and argue Mrs Jaconelli could “appeal the compensation through the lands tribunal if she felt that it was not enough.” (oh, the Lands Tribunal …. riiiight – Ed)

The Lands Tribunal ‘for Scotland’ is in effect an independent civil court. It has statutory power to deal with various types of dispute involving land or property. At the request of parties, it can also act as an arbiter to deal with any type of dispute. However, if there is no such agreement it can only hear cases covered by the statutes mentioned at Specific Statutory Jurisdictions. You will find a schedule of forthcoming Tribunal hearings below.

The Tribunal has a President who has overall responsibility for the organisation of its work, and three Members who have recognised expertise in the fields of law and surveying. The current President of the Tribunal is the Hon. Lord McGhie, who is also Chairman of the Scottish Land Court. The present Members are John Wright QC, Kenneth Barclay FRICS, and Ian Darling FRICS.

There is a close relationship between the Lands Tribunal and the Scottish Land Court: they share the same offices, and the President of the Lands Tribunal is also Chairman of the Land Court. However, the work they do is quite distinct, and they have separate administrative staff and systems. The Land Court deals with cases involving agriculture and is mainly concerned in matters involving landlords and tenants. Most disputes about rights to land (for example, disputes over ownership or succession) are dealt with by the ordinary courts: the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.

(Neu Labour in Glasgow gone wrong again evicting ordinary folks ? dont worry Ye Olde Labour has returned to put things [not] right – Ed (of SLR, not the wrong trousers Ed of returning Ye Olde Labour)

BBC News reports on Glasgow City Council’s cheap eviction compensation package, so cheap its cheaper than cocaine, legal fees, and the costs of covering up the occasional cocaine scandal ….

Glasgow grandmother faces Commonwealth Games eviction

A Glasgow grandmother is facing eviction from her home of 34 years to make way for the Commonwealth Games.The flat where Margaret Jaconelli lives in Dalmarnock is in an area earmarked for the athletes village.

Glasgow City Council was previously granted a compulsory purchase order for the house for £30,000. After Mrs Jaconelli refused, the authority raised a civil action at Glasgow Sheriff Court and were given permission to evict her by Thursday. The court heard how Mrs Jaconelli's flat was one of several homes subject to compulsory purchase orders. She is now the only remaining resident and has been living in an empty tower block for some time.

In a statement she read to the court, she said: "We're being told that properties are being pulled down for regeneration but it's more like degeneration. "Communities have disappeared and friendships have been lost by the council pulling down large parts of the east end so that it is now reminiscent of Beirut."

Mrs Jaconelli said she was the "sole survivor of a council policy to raze Dalmarnock to the ground".

The grandmother added: "I'm just a wee person from the east end of Glasgow and all I'm doing is fighting for a home that my husband has worked hard for for 34 years. They're stealing my property after us working so hard for it." Mrs Jaconelli added that she would have difficulty buying her family a "tent or an outside toilet" with the £30,000 the council are giving her as compensation.

Advocate Gerry Moynihan, representing Glasgow City Council, told the court that Mrs Jaconelli could appeal the compensation through the lands tribunal if she felt that it was not enough. But the advocate added that the law states that the dispute over compensation should not stop the compulsory purchase or Mrs Jaconelli's eviction. Mr Moynihan also said the council had offered Mrs Jaconelli and her family alternative accommodation but she had rejected their offers.

Mrs Jaconelli responded that the properties which were offered were too far away from Dalmarnock and the rent was too expensive. She currently owns her property and has no rent to pay.

Sheriff Richard McFarlane QC told Mrs Jaconelli that he recognised the seriousness of the case and the consequences she faced but was bound by the law. The sheriff granted the council permission to evict her within two days time.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Ex-Law Society Chief, now Glasgow University Legal Practice Director Douglas Mill soaks broke public coffers for ‘lunch with judges’ expense claims

Douglas Mill 4Former Law Society Chief Douglas Mill now at Glasgow University joins the expenses bandwagon while taxpayers foot the bill. GLASGOW UNIVERSITY’S Douglas Mill, who took up his post after resigning from his eleven year highly paid position as the Law Society of Scotland’s Chief Executive, has been revealed to have claimed over £2,241.75 from taxpayers funds for an expensive course of dinners, lunches and meetings with judges, lawyers, teachers & representatives of the media (not us, thankfully – Ed).

The figures, released under Freedom of Information legislation by Glasgow University show Mr Mill eating out at taxpayers expense with the ranks of Scotland’s legal profession, even charging his Law Society fee to hard up public funds. However the University’s disclosure of Mr Mill’s soaring dining bill & other claims paid for by taxpayers apparently contained a legal threat against anyone seeking to public their content, which is odd, considering Mr Mill’s position at Glasgow University is paid for by public funds, and the public most certainly have a right to know who earns what from their taxes.

Glasgow University on the rocks – Douglas Mill lunches away at taxpayers expense while public services burn in a billion cuts.

Douglas Mill Expenses Claims

DOUGLAS MILL EXPENSES CLAIMS : UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW 30.03.09 – 22.06.10

3.12.09 Lunch with staff from another University to arrange joint event 3 £45.00

15.12.09 Lunch with sheriff and two external lawyers-members of interview panel 3 £38.00

8.2.10 Lunch with editor of magazine and marketing dept to arrange publicity for events 5 £57.00

16.2.10 Lunch for 2 external solicitors to arrange speakers for course 3 £38.25

9.2.10 Dinner for Judge and QC- speakers at Life in Law conference 6 £250.00

23.2.10 Dinner for judge, Sheriff, speakers at Law in Law conference 6 £375.00

9.3.10 Dinner for Sheriff and other guest speaker at Life in Law conference 6 £250.00

4.3.10 Lunch for Sheriff, trainer, solicitors and three staff 13 £100.00

21.4.10 Dinner for external tutors following training 6 £115.00

21.4.10 Lunch with solicitor to discuss upcoming conference and PEAT II issues 2 £22.90

9.4.10 Lunch with staff from legal publication to discuss publicity for diploma 3 £43.30

9.6.10 Dinner for guest speakers after training event 6 £143.50

28.5.10 Travel expenses to Perth for Diploma co-ordinating meeting £50.40

22.6.10 Snacks for Private Law training event £20.90

3.9.09 Lunch for senior tutors 6 £134.90

17.11.09 Law Society retention fee £70.00

30.3.09 University of Strathclyde CELTS conference £70.00

28.5.09 PEAT 1 collaborative conference £40.00

12.6.09 UKCLE conference fee £85.00

28.1.10 Travel expenses to UKCLE conference. Warwick. £75.00

15.1.10 Lunch with external interviewer 3 £62.60

06.10.09 Lunch with solicitors to discuss student placements 5 £85.00

5.10.09 Lunch with senior tutors 6 £70.00

Total £2,241.75

Friday, September 03, 2010

Allegations Court of Session judge ‘buried evidence’ at £200k+ employment tribunal as Lord President puts off complaints investigation into colleague

Lord HamiltonLord President Lord Hamilton in the dock over regulation of judiciary’s conduct. SERIOUS DOUBTS over the ability of Scotland’s top judge to carry out investigations into complaints made against fellow judges & sheriffs have surfaced after Scotland’s Lord President, Lord Hamilton appeared to shy away from carrying out an investigation into serious allegations made by a former lecturer at St Andrews University against currently serving Court of Session Judge Lady Smith & the controversial ex-Sheriff Mark Sischy, (now deceased) who were both involved in an Employment Tribunal case.

Lady SmithCourt of Session Outer House Judge Lady Smith faces allegations over ‘buried evidence’ at Employment Tribunal. Among the allegations levelled at Lady Smith on the website of Dr Declan Quigley, former lecturer of Anthropology who resigned from St Andrews in 2002 and took the University to an Employment Tribunal, are claims that : Lady Anne Smith, Scottish Supreme Court judge, ensured that evidence buried by the Scottish Employment Tribunals to protect the University of St Andrews remained covered up and that a judgment containing a tissue of misrepresentations went unchallenged.”

Controversy lingers after Sheriff's Death - Sunday Express January 21 2010The late Mark Sischy who resigned from his position as a Sheriff in disgrace after being caught drink-driving, and amazingly returned to the Scottish judicial system as a £74,000-a-year chairman of employment tribunals, ended up presiding over the former University lecturer’s case against St Andrews University, is, according to Dr Quigley’s website alleged to [have] perverted the course of justice. He signed a judgment containing a tissue of misrepresentations and buried large amounts of evidence to protect the University of St Andrews.”. Mr Sischy’s return to the judicial system in such a prominent role after his drink driving conviction provoked accusations of cronyism, and was questioned at the time by the SNP’s Tricia Marwick MSP. Tricia Marwick said : "The manner in which Mr Sischy was appointed raises concerns of cronyism within the Scottish judicial system.Mr Sischy has been promoted to a full-time chairman while still serving a ban for drink-driving. When you consider that some of the cases brought in front of employment tribunals may involve drink-related incidents during hearings for unfair dismissals, it seems ludicrous to appoint someone with a criminal conviction in this area."

Ms Marwick added : "The posts for part-time employment tribunal chairmen are not advertised while information regarding full-time positions are only circulated to part-time chairmen. This points to cronyism with a strong element of using a 'jobs for the boys' system. The SNP are calling for the procedures of appointments to be more open, transparent and accountable. All positions within the Scottish judicial system should operate best practice where all jobs are advertised and open to the public. These appointments of secrecy are sending out all the wrong messages about employment tribunals.”

Read all about it : Skorupski’s Law – University of St Andrews blew nearly £1/4 million on legal fees. Top judge & Tribunal Chief made ‘questionable decisions’ (click image below to view Dr Quigley’s website)

website image

Among others identified by Dr Quigley’s website are Ian Truscott QC, who represented the University in the Employment Tribunal, and two lecturers at St Andrews University, one alleged to have lied to an Employment Tribunal while the other apparently refused to give evidence.

A Freedom of Information request reported in the Times Higher Education supplement revealed the staggering costs of the hearing, which saw the University of St Andrews spend at least £204,000 to defend the case, far more than Dr Quigley expected to win.

In recent weeks Dr Quigley has been attempting to have his complaints against Lady Smith and the actions of the now deceased Mr Sischy investigated by Scotland’s Lord President, Lord Hamilton, who is responsible for selection and the conduct of the judiciary. However, the Lord President has claimed in correspondence seen by our reporters that he is not responsible for Mr Sischy’s actions and alarmingly, the responses from the Lord President’s office to Dr Quigley’s requests for an investigation apparently ignore all references to complaints made against Lady Smith.

Speaking today to journalists for Scottish Law Reporter, Dr Quigley said : "Lord Hamilton is clearly protecting Lady Smith who corruptly hid from the parties to an employment appeal tribunal (and their barristers) that the Chairman of the original tribunal had been an alcoholic and had been off work for months immediately prior to signing the judgment.”

Dr Quigley continued : “I am examining ways of making Lady Smith legally accountable for her actions and the Lord President and the President of the Employment Tribunals (Mrs Shona Simon) will have to justify why there has been no examination of the circumstances surrounding the case when there have been repeated requests to do so. Obviously, if the claims on my website were not true, I would have been hauled up in front of Lady Smith by now for contempt of court or defamation. In fact, Lady Smith was in contempt of her own court - and of the very basis of the Employment Appeals Tribunals - and she needs to answer for that."

A legal insider this afternoon said it was fundamentally important that any complaint made against a member of the judiciary be thoroughly investigated and go through a formal process which gave a fair hearing to both sides.

However, despite serious allegations being made against a currently serving judge and an ex-sheriff no such investigation has taken place so far by Lord Hamilton, who appears determined to avoid an inquiry into the former University of St Andrews lecturer’s claims, even though there appears ample allegations in the media Mr Sischy gained his Tribunal position through the well known ‘jobs for the boys’ culture in Scotland’s legal establishment, as one report from the Herald newspaper at the time reveals :

Disgraced sheriff's £74,000K comeback Top post despite drink-driving

Iain Wilson Chief Reporter

9 Aug 1999

EXCLUSIVE. A SHERIFF who resigned in disgrace after being caught drink-driving is back in the Scottish judicial system as a £74,000-a-year chairman of employment tribunals.

Mr Mark Sischy's return would not be tolerated under the appointments system which operates in England and Wales. He would not even have been granted an interview because of his criminal conviction. His job was not advertised. The £74,464 salary is met by taxpayers.

Mr Sischy's appointment, via a part-time post in the first instance, will further fuel charges of cronyism and jobs for the boys under the Scottish system, which appears to be less open and transparent than south of the Border. All part-time chairmen's posts in England are advertised under a policy adopted by the Lord Chancellor to draw on ''best available recruitment practices,'' with emphasis placed on open competition.

In Scotland, the posts are not advertised, apparently on grounds it would not produce "a larger field of people with the necessary kind of experience". Instead, aspiring candidates make themselves known either to Mrs Doris Littlejohn, president of Employment Tribunals (Scotland) or to the nation's leading judge, Lord Rodger of Earlsferry, the Lord Justice-General and Lord President of the Court of Session.

Mr Sischy was banned for two-and-a-half years for being almost three times over the drink-drive limit. That timescale does not run out until November. The ban was imposed on May 15, 1997. But by the end of the year, he had re-emerged as a part-time chairman of employment tribunals, whose current pay rates are £332-a-day, plus expenses for travel and subsistence. Promotion has now followed, with Mr Sischy's full-time job, based in Dundee, confirmed last month by Lord Rodger. The vacancy was circulated only among the small pool of part-time chairmen in Scotland. Their caseloads can include drink-related incidents emerging as key factors during evidence at hearings into claims for unfair dismissal.

Mr Sischy, who sat as a sheriff in Glasgow, tendered his resignation from the £79,667-a-year post he had held since 1990 before appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. He was fined £800 and banned from driving for two-and-a-half years. He had been caught with 100mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath by police while driving to a shop near his home. The legal limit is 35mg

Sheriff John Dean told him the fine and period of disqualification had to reflect the level of alcohol in his body. After sentence, Mr Sischy refused to be drawn on what his future plans were. Within months, he was a part-time tribunal chairman.

Now full-time, and with five months of the original drink- driving ban still to go, he is earning almost as much as before his fall from the Bench. Lord Rodger's counterpart in England, the Lord Chancellor, specifically expresses his disgust over drink-driving in a memorandum on conditions of service for tribunal members. His rules and regulations make clear that criminal behaviour, including drink-driving, is unacceptable.

A spokesman for the Lord Chancellor acknowledged that applicants with spent convictions would not necessarily be barred from becoming tribunal chairmen. But he added: "An applicant would not be considered for the period of his disqualification." In other words, anyone still serving a ban would not be interviewed. In his memorandum, the Lord Chancellor warns he would consider removing members if convicted of a grave offence. In particular, he regards "conviction for an offence of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs as so grave as to amount prima facie to misbehaviour".

His spokesman said there was no question of a chairman having to resign automatically if convicted after taking up the post. Each case would be considered on the individual circumstances. But the spokesman stressed: "No applicant would be considered for the job while still banned from driving ... he regards drink-driving as a very serious offence." Candidates were specifically warned of the Lord Chancellor's views on drink-driving, both verbally and in writing, during the initial application process, then at interview, and on appointment.

Mr Sischy's ban emerged during an investigation by The Herald into the Scottish appointments system. He offered no explanation for his appointment. When approached, he said: "I think I know what you want to talk to me about. You will understand that I cannot comment." Asked again to discuss issues, he said: "I cannot comment. It is a matter for Doris Littlejohn and the Lord President." Mrs Littlejohn has still to reply to questions lodged by The Herald, and Lord Rodger has refused to comment.

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Scottish Health Secretary names ‘Minimum Alcohol Price’ in an effort to save lives from ‘harm & misery of alcohol misuse’

The Scottish Government’s Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon has today announced the proposed minimum price for alcohol, which will be set at 45p per unit. The move it is claimed, will save lives, money and save future generations from the misery of alcohol misuse although whether the move will clear a vote in the Scottish Parliament remains to be seen …

Minimum alcohol price named

02/09/2010

The proposed minimum price for alcohol will be set at 45p per unit, it was announced today.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said that saving lives, saving money and saving future generations from the 'harm and misery caused by alcohol misuse' are just some of the benefits alcohol minimum pricing could bring.

She said that introducing a minimum price of 45p per unit would have significant health and social benefits including, in the first year:

* 50 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm
* 1,200 fewer hospital admissions
* A £5.5 million reduction in health care costs
* 22,900 fewer days absence from work

After 10 years, benefits would increase to:

* 225 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm annually
* 4,200 fewer hospital admissions annually
* An £83 million reduction in health care costs over the 10 year period

Ms Sturgeon said: "For too long, too many Scots have been drinking themselves into an early grave. It is no coincidence that as the affordability of alcohol has plummeted in recent decades, alcohol-related deaths, disease, crime and disorder have spiralled.”

"I believe it's crucial that we reintroduce realistic alcohol pricing. It cannot be right that a man can exceed his weekly recommended alcohol limit for less than £3.50. That's why we're taking decisive action, including proposals to introduce a minimum price per unit, which would bring these pocket money prices to an end.”

"Getting the price right is vital for minimum pricing to work - too low and it will simply be ineffective. After careful consideration, we believe that 45p per unit is the right price. Our proposals have already won backing from respected health professionals at home and abroad and I hope, for the sake of our nation's health, they will also win the backing of the Scottish Parliament."

Dr Harry Burns, Scotland's chief medical officer, said: "Scotland has an unenviable reputation when it comes to alcohol. We are, sadly, world-class when it comes to damaging our health through heavy drinking. But that can change. Scotland led the way in the UK when it came to banning smoking in public places and I believe we must also lead the way in introducing a minimum price for alcohol.”

"Minimum pricing, as part of a package of wider measures, can help us to redress the balance when it comes to our unhealthy relationship with alcohol."

The Scottish Government will table an amendment to the Alcohol (Scotland) Bill to introduce the 45p price. The bill is about to start the 2nd stage of the parliamentary process.

Statistics published this week show that Scotland continues to drink more than every other part of the UK.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Media coverage of of Law Society’s role in £300K Cherbi Executry swindle by lawyer & accountant energised debate to end self regulation of lawyers

The following reports are a record of the media coverage of the 300K Cherbi Executry estate swindle where a Borders solicitor, Andrew Penman of Stormonth Darling Solicitors, Kelso and an accountant Norman Howitt of the JRW Group in the Scottish Borders, who acted as the Executry Estate’s Executor, were involved in one of the biggest legal scandals of the 1990’s which prompted debates on ending self regulation of the legal profession.

Scotsman 18 October 1994 Son threatens to walk away from inheritance after legal rowSon threatens to walk away from inheritance

By William Chisholm The Scotsman Tuesday 18 October 1994

A 20-year old man from Jedburgh speaks of disinheriting himself after battling almost five years for a share of his father's £300,000 estate.

Peter Cherbi, 20, from Jedburgh, says the years since his father Gino died in January 1990, have been a living nightmare which shows no signs of ending. He has lodged an official complaint with the Law Society of Scotland seeking an inquiry into the alleged failure of administrators to settle his late father's affairs.

In his letter to the Law Society, Mr Cherbi names the accountant Norman Howitt of John Welch & Co, the estate's executor, and the solicitor Andrew Penman of Kelso law firm P & J Stormonth Darling, legal adviser to Mr Howitt. Mr Cherbi has received demands for council tax and inheritance tax on the estate, even though he has yet to inherit.

None beneficiaries named in his father's will who were to receive legacies ranging from £500 to £2000 have not been paid, according to Peter Cherbi. They include relatives in Italy and France and neighbours in Jedburgh.

Gino Andrew Cherbi came to Scotland from his native Tuscany as a boy in the 1920's. He became a successful businessman in the Borders with a restaurant and shop in Jedburgh. He invested shrewdly in shares and also owned race horses and greyhounds.

At the time of his death at the age of 72, he had a wide ranging portfolio of shares, unit trusts and bank accounts as well as property. He was also the proud owner of a classic 1950s Sunbeam Alpine Mark 3 motor car. In 1990 a Kelso garage valued the car at 」4000. According to Peter Cherbi, it was sold in 1993 for £1,200, although he had received a higher offer.

A document drawn up in1990 showed the estate to be worth £257,211 exclusive of Italian assets. The family had expected administration to take two years.

Mr Cherbi last night said he was so disillusioned he was prepared to give up his inheritance. "The process has caused me so much emotional strain and expense that I feel like walking away", said Mr Cherbi. "I have been a victim of my late father's will rather than a beneficiary"

The case is being brought to the attention of local MP Archy Kirkwood, who is a lawyer.

"It would appear legal regulations which allowed this kind of thing to happen must be flawed and should be scrutinised nationally to stop others suffering the same fate as myself", said Cherbi.

"I would be interested to hear from others who have undergone a similar experience"

He is also contemplating court proceedings against the executry for compensation.

Mr Howitt claimed Mr Cherbi's affairs had been extremely complicated. he did not wish to respond to Mr Cherbi's allegations through a newspaper, but would deal with them if they were put to him by Mr Cherbi's solicitor.

Mr Howitt said "I am aware of some of the difficulties but I don't believe Mr Cherbi should have taken his complaint to the press".

Mr Cherbi countered "We have been trying to get facts from the executry for a year via my own solicitor. It was precisely because of the inaction of the trustees that I decided to bring my concerns into the public domain"

Mr Penman said "Some of the issues Mr Cherbi has raised with you have been dealt with. some others are new allegations and comments" Mr Cherbi should have raised his concerns through his lawyer or with the executry, he said.

"If at that point he is not satisfied with our responses, then it would be appropriate for him to take further steps", said Mr Penman. "It would be inappropriate to discuss the details. Those discussions should be a matter between Mr Cherbi and ourselves"

Scotsman 11 October 1996 Iinquiry call over bungling lawyerInquiry call over bungling lawyer

Executry dispute - Son queries why Law Society reversed decision to prosecure lawyer

William Chisholm The Scotsman 11 October 1996

The son of a Borders businessman wants a report which investigated allegations of misconduct by a solicitor handling his father's estate to be re-opened.

Peter Cherbi has sent the report to Scottish Secretary Michael Forsyth, with a demand for further action. He wants Mr Forsyth to force the Law Society to reopen the report to allow a prosecution of the lawyer, Andrew Penman, by the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal.

The Law Society investigation concluded that Mr Penman, of the Kelso law firn of P & J Stormonth Darling, should be prosecuted by the tribunal for the "appalling" way he handled the executry of Gino Cherbi, a Jedburgh businessman whose estate was valued at £300,000, after his death in 1990, aged 73.

But the decision to prosecute Mr Penman has been shelved in favour of a reprimand.

Now Mr Cherbi's son, Peter claims the society's about-face cannot be justified given the findings of the investigation, including "an apparent attempt to mislead the Royal Bank of Scotland, and failure to collect estate assets".

When The Scotsman spoke to Mr Penman, he said the complaint against hiim had been thoroughly investigated by the Law Society and that was an end to the matter. In general, he could not make comments because of confidentiality.

The law Society report outlined lengthy and unexplained delays and a repeated failure by Mr Penman ro respond to correspondence. It also alleged a complete lack of proper management in the handling and progressing of the executry.

There had been a "bungled and unsuccessful attempt to put the files in order".

Peter Cherbi was to have been the main beneficiary from his late father's estate. Others named in the will were to receive legacies ranging from £500 to £2000. But Mr Cherbi has been told there are no funds left in the estate.

A document showed the estate to be worth £257,211 exclusive of Italian finds.

The overseas assets included an account with the Banco di Roma containing some £26,000 which was not collected by the executry. The Society report states that Mr Penman apparently attempted to mislead the Royal Bank on this matter.

The committee of the Law Society which first considered the report in June this year expressed grave concern at the way the executry had been handled.

Members agreed that Mr Penman's actions were so serious and reprehensible as to amount to professional misconduct and recommended prosecution by the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal.

But the decision was changed after Mr Penman submitted written representations to the society. He claimed the executry had been complex although he accepted matters could and should have been dealt with more expeditiously.

Mr Penman also apologised to the complainer (Mr Cherbi) and to the Law Society

Mr Cherbi said Mr Penman's pleadings "contradicted the society's own findings", adding that the Cherbi estate had suffered substantial financial loss.

When the Law Society committee reconsidered the matter, it was decided a reprimand and a compensation award of £1000 to the estate would be more appropriate.

P & J Stormonth Darling were instructed to limit their fee for work done from the date of death until October 1994 when Mr Penman ceased dealing with the file, to £3000 plus VAT.

Peter Cherbi told The Scotsman "I am shocked at the findings of the Law Society investigation which has uncovered many disturbing facts about the way my late father's estate was handled. I will not be allowing this matter to rest"

The Law Society advised Mr Cherbi not to instigate civil action while their investigation was in progress. He said the completion of the inquiry meant he was now in a position to sue for full recovery of the estate although the society report had been promised 15 months ago.

Mr Cherbi has also asked Mr Forsyth to instruct the Law Society to reopen the files so that prosecution can be taken before the solicitors tribunal.

Following the finding of professional misconduct he has also registered a complaint against Norman Howitt, an accountant with John J Welch & Co, Galashiels, who acted as executor of his father's estate.

In his submission to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, Mr Cherbi alleges a lack of control by Mr Howitt over the activities of Mr Penman which resulted in financial loss to the estate.

A Law Society spokeswoman said the complaint had been dealt with and Mr Cherbi had exercised his right to refer the matter to Scotland legal services ombudsman to whom the file had now been sent.

Mr Penman said the Law Society papers with the committee's deliberations showed that a press statement from Mr Cherbi contained many untruths and half-truths. "I would consider that the press release if published as it stands would be defamatory of me" he said.

Scotsman 9 September 1997 Law Society may face Euro Court over whitewashLaw Society may face Euro court over 'whitewash'

Son hits out at decision on father's estate

William Chisholm The Scotsman 9 September 1997

The Law Society of Scotland has been accused of overseeing a "whitewash" after rejecting an ombudsman's request for it to reopen a case against a Borders solicitor.

The original investigation by the society into the way Andrew Penman, of Kelso law firm P & J Stormonth Darling, dealt with the £300,000 estate of businessman Gino Cherbi, of Jedburgh, concluded that the solicitor's "appalling" handling of the matter warranted prosecution before a tribunal.

The investigation found "an apparent attempt to mislead the Royal Bank of Scotland and failure to collect estate assets".

The society initially recommended that M Penman be prosecuted for professional misconduct. However, the punishment was reduced to a reprimand after representations on Mr Penman's behalf.

The society gave no explanation for departing from the original intention to prosecute.

Specific difficulties relating to Mr Penman's private life and working life were outlined to the Law Society's committee, according to a senior official.

However, Mr Cherbi's son, Peter, who has been involved in seven years of legal wrangling over the estate since his father's death in 1990, refused to accept the society's decision and took the case to the legal services ombudsman, Garry Watson.

In a report which criticises the society's handling of Mr Cherbi's complaint, Mr Watson writes; "The ombudsman does not accept that the solicitor's livelihood was a factor which should have influenced the Law Society's procedures. In his view, that is a factor for the Law Society in it's capacity as a professional body representing its members, but not a factor in relation to its statutory duty to investigate complaints".

Mr Watson concludes; "it is most important that there is transparency of decision making within committees and that reporters and committees provide their reasons for arriving at decisions.

"It is unclear why the committee changed its view with regard to prosecution after having heard personal representations from the solicitor's council member.

It is recommended that the complainer and the ombudsman are advised of these reasons"

The ombudsman also asks the Law Society to reopen the case against Mr Penman so that the question of loss to Mr Cherbi could be fully addressed. Mr Watson goes on to express concern about the serious delays by the society in finalising its report into the complaint.

Philip Yelland, the Law Society's deputy secretary, has now told Mr Watson that the detail of the representations made to the committee will have to remain confidential.

His statement to the ombudsman adds; "But I can assure both you and the complainer that the representations made in relation to those matters were sufficient to persuade the committee, made up of both qualified and lawyer members, that the more appropriate disposal was by way of a reprimand"

He says reopening the case to take account of the question of loss is not competent in terms of current legislation and so the ombudsman's recommendations cannot be acted upon.

However, the Law Society has accepted the criticisms leveled at it by Mr Watson in relation to the delays and has sent Mr Cherbi a cheque for £250.

Mr Cherbi yesterday attacked the "shabby treatment" he has received from the Law Society and claimed that the ombudsman appeared to be powerless when the society closed ranks to protect its own. He described the £250 "pay-off" as an insult.

"I feel I owe it to my father's memory not to let this matter drop and have instructed my solicitor to apply for judicial review so that Mr Penman can be prosecuted" Mr Cherbi said. "If necessary this issue will be taken to the European Court".

He added; "I was extremely concerned to learn the Law Society received more than 1000 complaints each year about the conduct of solicitors. I sincerely hope other dissatisfied clients get better treatment if they find it necessary to approach the society because I find myself the victim of a whitewash".

Mr Cherbi claimed the inadequacies in the arrangements for investigating complaints against solicitors had led to additional expense. There was a legacy of debts and outstanding inheritance tax thanks to the delays in winding up Gino Cherbi's affairs, he said.

Mr Yelland said yesterday ; " In terms of the ombudsman's act as it now stands we have a duty to respond to his recommendations. We have fulfilled that duty. If Mr Cherbi wishes to pursue matters by way of judicial review then that is entirely up to him.

A separate complaint by Mr Cherbi against Norman Howitt, an accountant with John J Welch & Co, Galashiels, who acted as executor of his father's estate, is the subject of an inquiry by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Scotsman 2 December 1997  Plea  to Dewar for inquiry on Law Society role in wranglePlea to Dewar for inquiry on Law Society role in wrangle.

William Chisholm The Scotsman 2 December 1997

A MAN who lost much of his inheritance because of a solicitor's incompetence is to challenge a decision not to allow him access to key documents drawn up by the Law Society of Scotland in the course of an eight year legal wrangle.

Peter Cherbi, from Jedburgh, has asked the Scottish Secretary, Donald Dewar, for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the handling of the £300,000 estate of his late father, Gino Cherbi, a Borders businessman.

The demand for an inquiry into the role of the law society and the Scottish legal services ombudsman, Garry Watson, was made yesterday after Mr Cherbi heard that Mr Watson was closing the file on the case.

Mr Cherbi alleges that the society conspired to prevent prosecution of the solicitor who dealt with his father's affairs.

Mr Cherbi also plans to raise a court action against the society to force its officials to release crucial reports int he case.

Written submissions lodged on behalf of a lawyer, Andrew Penman, persuaded the society's complaints committee to abandon plans to refer his "appalling" handling of the executry to the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal.

Instead, the committee decided that a reprimand and a compensation award of £1000 to the estate would be a more appropriate penalty, despite grave concerns about Mr Penman's professional misconduct.

After the decision, Mr Cherbi took his complaining to Mr Watson, who carried out a separate inquiry into the society's handling of the case.

The ombudsman concluded "It is most important that there is transparency of decision making within committees and that reporters and committees provide their reasons for arriving at decisions".

Mr Watson said the complainer and the ombudsman should be afvised why the complaints committee had changed its mind on prosecuting Mr Penman.

His report also disclosed that a society memorandum contained concerned that a solicitor who represented Mr Penman before the committee had made reference to Peter Cherbi's character and that such references had been considered "unfair".

But now Mr Watson has told Mr Cherbi he has received the written representations made on Mr Penman's behalf on the basis that they remain confidential to the ombudsman's office.

Mr Watson adds "However, I can assure you that these representations solely relate to the solicitor himself; they do not contain any comments with regard to yourself."

Mr Cherbi said yesterday "The Law Society must have tremendous pulling power when they can get the legal services ombudsman to alter his stance.

"They are only interested in protecting their own members. I am not even able to see the evidence presented to the committee on Mr Penman's behalf yet he had access to all of my submissions".

In Mr Cherbi's opinion, Mr Watson was a 'puppet of the law society'. In a letter seeking Mr Dewar's intervention, Mr Cherbi states "I am the victim of a very sleazy cover-up by the law society to protect a very bad solicitor who has already been found guilty of misconduct".

He said he had no intention of giving up the fight to recover his father's estate in full.

Mr Cherbi is to seek judicial review of the law society's alleged mishandling of his complaint.

The society has sent him a cheque for £250 to compensate him for long delays in processing the case, a payment Mr Cherbi describes as an insult.

The Scotsman asked Mr Watson to comment after his decision to close the file in the Cherbi case.

In a written response, he said "I am not in a position to make any public comment on a matter, which, in accordance with my remit, is private between myself and complainer".

Philip Yelland, the law society's deputy secretary, said "Mr Cherbi appears to be expressing concern about the ombudsman's position and it would be inappropriate for us to say anything if he wishes to take further action.

When Mr Cherbi, senior, died aged 73 in 1990, he left stocks and shares, property, and other assets valued at more than £250,000.

There were also overseas assets including an account with the Banco di Roma, containing an estimated £26,000. which was not collected by the executry. The estate has yet to be settled.

A separate complaint by Mr Cherbi against an accountant who acted as executor of the estate is the subject of a separate inquiry by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Jury  still out on law in the dock - The Scotsman 2 March 1998Jury still out on law in the dock

Does the Law Society act in the public's best interest over legal malpractice , asks Jenny Booth The Scotsman 2 March 1998

Like small children utterly dependent on their parents, most of us trust our legal advisers implicitly to protect us from life's little Dickensians - financial ruin, for example - at some of the most important stages in our existence.

We do not expect, having purchased our dream home, to find that planning permission has been granted for a new motorway to run through the garden.

And we would be more than a little upset to discover that a trust find set up to look after our elderly and ailing parents had actually furnished our solicitor's holiday apartment in Spain.

So, who do you turn to when you believe your solicitor has made a mess of your affairs ?

This may be hard to stomach, but at the moment, the first thing to do is to contact another lawyer, or, to be more precise, the Law Society of Scotland, which acts both as the professional body for lawyers and as the first port of call for members of the public with complaints about their lawyers.

Self regulation has been in place at the society for years, and while few would claim it is perfect, the Law Society says it is working well. It believes that lawyers have enough pride in their profession to want to clamp down hard on colleagues who break the rules.

But there are those who do not agree.

A recently formed Scottish organisation called Injured By The Law claims that when it comes to a clash between a member of the public and one of its own members, the Law Society is failing to deliver justice

Peter Paton, the chairman of the pressure group says ; "There are many cases of professional misconduct by solicitors that have been inadequately dealt with by the Law Society of Scotland.The system isn't working. It has inbuilt bias towards their own members. The legal profession has proved beyond a doubt that the Law Society, a self regulatory body, can't regulate its own members. There is no clear redress for victims of incompetent solicitors"

Paton says over 1000 complaints were registered by the society in 1997. "It is clear that they don't have the will to discipline their own members, and when they do, the disciplinary procedure is dismal. Because of this, we feel that this function should be replaced by an independent law commission"

Among the members of the group, one of the newest and angriest is Peter Cherbi, a man who lost his inheritance because the winding up of the estate of his late father, Gino Cherbi, was bungled by his solicitor, Andrew Penman, of P & J Stormonth Darling in Kelso.

When Cherbi senior died in 1990, he left stocks and shares, property, a car and other assets including an account in the Banco di Roma, worth nearly £300,000.

The Borders businessman's will included a few legacies to friends and relatives, and after liabilities were met, the residue of the estate was to go to his son, Peter.

But by the time Penman had finished handling the estate, Cherbi was told there was nothing left to inherit.

The preliminary report by the Law Society complaints committee accused Penman of "appalling" mismanagement and recommended Penman should be reported to the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal. which has the power to strike solicitors off.

But the complaints committee changed its mind after reading confidential representations from Penman. and hearing in private from Penman's solicitor.

The solicitor's identity was routinely kept confidential. but was later revealed to be a Law Society council member, James Ness, of the firm of solicitors, Austins, in Dalbeattie.

Cherbi says he was later told that at the committee hearing, Ness had questioned his character, and said Penman did not deserve to lose his career over such a man

Eventually the committee decided instead merely to reprimand Penman, and it awarded the estate what Cherbi thought was a derisory £1000 compensation.

This is the statutory top limit that the Law Society can award for the anxiety and distress caused by an incompetent solicitor. If a complainer wants compensation for his loss, he must sue for negligence through the courts.

Cherbi complained to the independent Scottish legal services ombudsman, Garry Watson, who investigated the handling of the case. Watson reported that it was unfair that Ness had been able to make a personal plea to the committee while Cherbi was not invited to be present. This practice has now been reformed by the law Society at the ombudsman's request, and neither side in a dispute can now make final representations in person.

Watson wrote : "it is most important that there is transparency of decision making within committees and that reporters and committees provide reasons for arriving at decisions".

His report recommended that the Law Society reopen the case, but the Law Society declined.

Cherbi wrote to the Scottish Secretary asking for an independent investigation but was advised to take legal moves to have his case reconsidered. He is preparing to apply for the Law Society's decision to be judicially reviewed. "I'm not going to let the matter rest" says Cherbi. "I feel the Law Society has presided over a whitewash. I have struggled to seek answers on my case, but have got nowhere"

While I have mostly been treated with courtesy, which I have reflected in my dealings with the Society,, I have been aware of an undercurrent of inappropriate remarks at senior level against me, as well as a tendency to keep information secret that would otherwise contradict previous Society rulings." "I have been approached by many others who have suffered similar injustices with the Law Society"

But while there is undoubtedly still a phalanx of people like Cherbi, who seem to have very good reason to feel aggrieved, there is some evidence that the problems of the early and mid-ninety's may be becoming a thing of the past.

In general policy as well as individual cases, the legal services ombudsman has been very critical of the Law Society's procedures for some years.

When Watson took over as ombudsman, his first report for 1994, refers to "unjustifiable delay at each stage of the Law Society investigation". In his 1995 report he said there were a number of "rogue investigations" which were " a discredit to the Society".

But some of the most glaring problems had been cleared up by 1996 ; "I am pleased to report that gross delay and rogue investigations with confusion and lack of control have been largely eliminated. Delays and errors continue to arise ... but they are of a different and manageable order of magnitude.

Scotsman 5 June 1998 Law Society accused of closing ranks as claim failsLaw Society accused of closing ranks as claim fails

William Chisholm The Scotsman 5 June Friday 1998

An unprecedented attempt to force the Law Society of Scotland to prosecute a solicitor for professional misconduct will continue, even though an application for legal aid has been rejected.

Peter Cherbi from Jedburgh, claims that his late father's £300,000 estate has been ruined and rendered worthless because of the way a Borders lawyer, Andrew Penman, handled the affairs of Gino Cherbi who died in 1990.

A Law Society investigation found that the solicitor, a partner in the law form P & J Stormonth Darling, should be prosecuted before a disciplinary tribunal because of the serious nature of the case.

But the decision was later overturned in favour of a reprimand after representations were made on Mr Penman's behalf.

Mr Cherbi, who is calling for " more than a slap on the wrist" then took the case to Garry Watson, the legal services ombudsman

He critisised the society's handling of the complaint and said it was unclear why its committee had changed its view about prosecution. Mr Watson asked for the case to be re-opened so that the question of loss to Mr Cherbi could be fully addressed.

But the society decided that course of action was not competent in terms of the law, which emant the ombudsman's recommendation could not be acted upon.

Instead, Mr Cherbi received a cheque for £250 to compensate him for delays in processing the inquiry.

Mr Cherbi revealed yesterday that Henry Mcleish, the Scottish Home Affairs Minister, had twice advised him to seek independent legal advice about any further action he might wish to take.

"The advice I received was to apply for a judicial review, challenging the Law Society's refusal to prosecute Mr Penman", said Mr Cherbi" "Its been impossible to get justice via the society which simply closed ranks to defend its own. Now the Scottish Legal Aid Board seems to be holding justice to ransom, by refusing my legitimate application for legal aid"

The board told Mr Cherbi that his request had been turned down becuase it was not satisfied the application showed he had a probably cause of action.

He believes the board's decision may have been influenced by a letter from Douglas Mill, the secretary of the society. Although no formal objection to Mr Cherbi's application was taken, Mr Mill felt it proper to draw certain issues to the attention of SLAB.

Mr Mill wrote "Mr Cherbi is clearly a person with an interest to complain and was entitled to make his complaint. It is for the Law Society in terms of the relevant legislation, to determine firstly whether the complaint can be upheld and then determine the appropriate penalty. The complainer does not have a part to play in determining penalty"

Mr Cherbi claims the society is keen to head off any judicial interference in its procedures. If his case were to succeed, it would set a precedent in Scots law. He would also be seeking costs.

In a statement to the legal aid board, Mr Cherbi said the interference of Mr Penman's representative at a complaints committee hearing was unfair.

He had not been given access to the evidence and was not allowed to appeal before the committee "commuted the solicitors sentence"

Mr Cherbi's action has the backing of Injured By The law, an organisation which seeks to help individuals who believe they have been denied legal justice. Ray Keddie, it's director said "I am extremely concerned by the actions and conduct of the Scottish Legal Aid Board in denying civil legal aid to Peter Cherbi"

He also criticised the Scottish Office for its "ambiguous advice" in recommending action that required people to apply for legal aid. He claimed it was then rejected on concocted grounds to maintain the status quo of the society and protect positions within the profession.

Injured By The Law was also calling into question the conduct and motives of Mr Mill in his letter to the legal aid board and SLAB's acceptance of the contents. Mr Keddie said ;" The contents are highly unusual and irregular to procedure"

But Fiona Shaw, SLAB's spokeswoman said it was the statutory right of any opponent in a civil case to object to an application for legal aid. She added "We have treated the society's letter in the same way as any other correspondence we receive."

She confirmed that Mr Cherbi's solicitor had asked the board to review the application for legal aid,, and that review was now under way.

In a statement, the society said Mr Mill's letter to SLAB was not irregular in its terms, nor was it an attempt to stall the course of justice.

"Mr Cherbi is entitled to seek judicial review if he wishes to do so. If he does, the society will defend it" . There was no question of the process of judicial review being a dangerous precedent. It was an ordinary legal process and the society had been involved in judicial review proceedings before.

"Any suggestion that in some way the society is interfering with the process of justice is wholly unfounded", the statement concluded.

Scotsman 8 January 1999 Independent watchdog for lawyers proposedIndependent watchdog for lawyers proposed

Law Society of Scotland's internal system flawed, says Scottish Consumer Council

Camillo Fracassini - Consumer Affairs Correspondent The Scotsman 8 January 1999

Complaints against solicitors in Scotland should be investigated by an independent watchdog because self regulation is not working, the Scottish Consumer Council will say today.

The recommendation is part of a highly critical SCC report into the way complaints about solicitors are handled by the lawyers professional body, the Law Society of Scotland.

According to a survey made as part of the study, 40% of those who had used the Law Society of Scotland's complaint's procedure thought their complaint had not been handled fairly.

The Law Society, the solicitors professional body, is also responsible for investigating complaints.

In the study, 415 people were interviewed by the SCC. Even looking at those whose complaints against their solicitors were upheld, shows that a third felt they had been unfairly dealt with.

The report is also highly critical of solicitors.

Of clients who complaint to their lawyers, 16% said they were completely ignored and only 2% were told they could refer the matter to the Law Society.

More than a fifth of solicitors refused to investigate complaints and 40% of people were ignored, "fobbed off", told to change lawyers, or advisd not to complain to the Law Society.

According to the survey, two fifths of complaints took between six months and two years to resolve and 17% took more than two years.

One complainant said "The whole experience was very disappointing. The Law Society was totally in favour of the lawyer. Dealing with the society was like talking to a wall"

Derdrie Hutton, the SCC Chairman, suggested "If consumers are to be confident that the procedures are entirely fair, we believe the research suggests that the way forward should be to establish an independent body to deal with complaints about solicitors in Scotland.

The SCC wants the Scottish parliament to review the Law Society's complaints procedure, with a view to establishing an independent complaints body.

Solicitors should be made to give clients a letter of engagement, setting out how long the work will take, how much it will cost, and advising how to complain if they are not happy with the service, it said.

The SCC added that all solicitors practices should also set up complaints procedures and appoint a specific solicitor to deal with complaints.

Martin Evans, the SCC director, said many people felt the system was biased in favour of solicitors : "They do not appear to trust the self regulatory process and do not trust the Law Society to look after the interests of consumers rather than its members. The lack of credibility of the current system doesn't serve consumers or the legal profession well".

Mr Evans added solicitors were not handling criticism positively : "Solicitors, as a profession, seem to feel threatened by complaints, rather than see them as something which can help them improve the service they provide."

Last night, Philip Dry, the president of the Law Society of Scotland, questioned the validity of the limited SCC survey and insisted self-regulation was still the best policy.

He said; "I continue to believe that a the society is best able to deal with client complaints which it does without cost to the public - and that any system used should be open to public scrutiny and constantly adapted and improved to meet the needs of clients of Scottish solicitors.

"The society does not agree with the recommendations made to the Scottish parliament to set up an independent complaints handling body. The recommendation is not supported by the survey results nor is the suggestion that the current system is fatally flawed".

Mr Dry said the Law Society had significantly improved its complaints procedure since the SCC first recommended the establishment of an independent complaints watchdog in 1986.

In November, it named 11 new lay members to its complaints committee in a bid to tackle the perceived bias.

Between 1994 and 1997 the number of complaints that ended successfully in mediation or conciliation increased by 79% while the number f complaints only rose by 4%.

Gary Watson, the Scottish legal services ombudsman said he remained opposed to an independent body "While I endorse a number of the recommendations made in the report but I would disagree with the prinsiple recommendation for the establishment of an independent complaints body.

"My firm view is that as long as the Law Society is committed to improving the way in which it handles complaints then that is the best way forward for members of the public"

However, Peter Cherbi is still seeking redress more than two years after the Law Society of Scotland overturned its original decision to prosecute a solicitor he claimed was guilty of professional misconduct.

Mr Cherbi, from Jedburgh believes his father's £300,000 estate was effectively made worthless by the lawyers handling of his affairs.

While a Law Society investigation found that the solicitor should be prosecuted before a tribunal because of the serious nature of the case, the decision was overturned in favour of a reprimand after representations on the lawyer's behalf.

Mr Cherbi, who plans to sue the Law Society said "The Law Society of Scotland's complaints procedure is completely biased. There is absolutely no right of appeal for complainants and the ombudsman has no statutory powers - he an only make recommendations which may be refused by the society.

"There must be an independent regulatory for the legal profession with absolutely no ties to solicitors"

Law Watchdog faces threat of court fight - Scotland on Sunday 9 August 1999Law watchdog faces threat of court fight.

Client prepares to sue after allegation that ombudsman compromised independence.

By Peter Laing Scotland on Sunday August 8 1999

THE government-appointed watchdog charged with overseeing the complaints process against solicitors in Scotland is himself facing legal action.

Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman Garry Watson has been accused of failing to handle properly a complaint against the Law Society of Scotland, the professional body which represents solicitors.

Peter Cherbi says he intends to sue Watson claiming the ombudsman "took instructions" from the Law Society on what information to release about his case, and, therefore, compromised his independence.

Cherbi, from Jedburgh, says Watson's handling of the case may have harmed his chances of ever recovering a £300,000 inheritance from an incompetent solicitor.

Cherbi has instructed his solicitor to begin legal proceedings against Watson, who could receive a write seeking damages within the next few weeks. It is believed to be the first time anyone has attempted to sue an ombudsman.

Complaints against solicitors are investigated by the Law Society under a controversial system of self-regulation. Anyone who is unhappy with the decision of the Law Society can then ask for an investigation by the ombudsman, who has the power to make recommendations to the society.

But the ombudsman is currently flooded with complex cases, and last month had to apologise for delays of up to a year in handling them.

Cherbi's case started in 1990 when his 73-year-old father died, leaving behind an estate valued at around £300,000.

Four years later he realised the estate, which was handled by local lawyer Andrew Penman, was almost worthless. Cherbi believes the money was lost through avoidable interest payments, fees and the mishandled selling of shares and investments.

Cherbi complained about Penman to the Law Society, who originally planned to prosecute him at a Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal.

But after written submissions regarding Penman were received, they decided instead on a reprimand and ordered him to pay £1000 compensation to Cherbi's estate. Angry at the Law Society's decision, Cherbi complained to the ombudsman in May 1997.

Watson investigated and concluded : "It is most important that there is transparency of decision-making within committees." Watson added he and Cherbi should be told why the Law Society decided not to prosecute Penman.

But un June 1997, Watson informed Cherbi that the Law Society had sent him the written submissions relating to Penman on the basis they remained confidential, and that the case was closed.

For the past two years, Watson and Cherbi have exchanged increasingly acrimonious letters on the subject.

Cherbi said : "In my opinion, by accepting the submissions about Penman on the basis that he would not divulge their contents, he has effectively been told what to do by the Law Society.

"As ombudsman he should be telling the Law Society what to do. I believe he has compromised the independence of his office.

"In my opinion, by not handling my case correctly, and refusing to pass on important information, he has made it more difficult to recover any of the inheritance I lost. For that reason, I have instructed my solicitor to begin proceedings for compensation"

Watson has refused to comment on the case. But in a letter he sent to Cherbi in February last year, he explained why the representations regarding Penman were not passed on.

He wrote "I ascertained that they [the representations] related entirely to the personal circumstances of the solicitor and had nothing to do with yourself. I can certainly see no reason why there should be a need for me to pass on information when it did not relate to, and was not relevant to, yourself. To suggest my actions compromise the independence of my office is patently absurd."

Watson, who was prepared to talk to Scotland on Sunday on general terms, added : "I deny any suggestion that my office is influenced by the Law Society.It is totally independent."

Watson said a new member of staff had been taken on to help bring down the time taken to deal with cases. he hopes to bring the average delay down from a year to two-four months.

The Scottish Consumer Council, in a report released earlier this year, revealed problems with the ombudsman, including that 85% of people whose complaints were not upheld by the ombudsman did not receive a satisfactory explanation.

 

Scotland on Sunday February 2001 - Legal Profession in the dock over complaints about self regulationLegal Profession in the Dock over complaints about self regulation

Peter Laing 18 February 2001 Scotland on Sunday

The power of lawyers to discipline corrupt or incompetent colleagues is to be investigated by the Scottish Parliament amid crowing concern at the perceived failure of self-regulation in the legal profession.

The parliament's Justice Committee is to launch an inquiry after numerous complaints about the failure of solicitors to keep their own house in order.

Members of the public, some of whom have lost thousands of pounds as a result of legal blunders, claim the regulatory system simply allows solicitors to watch each other's backs. The result, they say is long delays in hearing complaints and paltry punishments when cases are upheld.

The Law Society of Scotland, the body which represents solicitors and investigates complaints against them, rejects the claims and will argue that it should keep its powers of self regulation.

Alisdair Morgan MSP, Chairman of the Justice Committee, said an investigation was "high up our agenda" and there was a strong possibility it would start within months.

Peter Cherbi is typical of the determined band of legal victims who feel solicitors should be stripped of their powers of self regulation. He claims a lawyer's error robbed him of a £300,000 inheritance. Ten Years on, he has been offered £15,000 compensation, but faces legal costs of at least £22,000.

Cherbi, from Jedburgh expected to inherit his father's estate when he died. aged 73, in 1990. Four years later, he realised the estate, which had been handled by local lawyer Andrew Penman, was worthless. Cherbi believes the money was lost through avoidable interest payments, fees and mishandled selling of shares & investments.

He complained to the Law Society, which originally planned to prosecute Penman. After written submissions, it decided on a reprimand and ordered him to pay compensation worth £1000.

Cherbi then complained about the Law Society to its watchdog, the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman. But that has ended in acrimony and a possible legal action against the ombudsman.

A separate action for compensation against Penman resulted in an offer of £15,000 from his solicitors. Cherbi said "That is no use because I have legal costs for fighting my case of £22,000 and the estate is £43,000 in debt..

I am delighted that self-regulation is finally to be looked at. It's a liars' charter written by liars for liars. They sit on each other's committees and they are obsessed with protecting each other. "There has to be independent regulation with public participation. The victim must be able to get a fair hearing"

Phil Gallie, Tory Justice spokesman and a member of the Committee said "I have had a number of people coming to me with cases, four or five in the last six months. Some of these cases have been outstanding for several years"

A spokesman for the Law Society said there had been a 18% drop in complaints between 1999 and 2000, down from 1,338 to 1094 .

Children’s Panel recruitment campaign launched by Scottish Government

A release from the Scottish Government on their latest Children's Panel recruitment scheme. Lets hope successful applicants are more of a mixture than the usual suspects already holding several highly paid quango positions …

"Can you help fix the cracks in a child's life?" is the question being asked of the public as a new campaign to recruit Children's Panel members kicks off today.

The campaign was launched by Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram in Edinburgh and seeks new volunteers to come forward to make decisions for Scotland's most vulnerable children and young people.

Mr Ingram said: "Scotland's unique Children's Hearings System remains the best way of providing support and assistance to our children and young people in need or at risk.

"We're strengthening key aspects of the hearings system through the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Bill. But we're maintaining the vital role of panel members, who are best placed to make decisions for children and young people in our communities.”

"Members don't need specialist skills, simply commitment, and the capacity to care about, and communicate with, children and families. Interest in taking part remains high but we still need members of our communities to volunteer. Today's campaign launch seeks to galvanise new people into taking part.”

"The real-life skills and experience of Panel members such as Stuart Smith, who attended today's launch, demonstrates how volunteers in the children's hearings system can help fix the cracks in children and young people's lives and help them move on for the better.”

"We need dedicated, caring people with commitment and commonsense to get involved. We must ensure that vulnerable children and their families have access to the care, support and direction that they need."

This year's campaign runs from September 1 to October 1 and aims to generate over 400 successful applications from the right type of individual - a person who can make the commitment and has a strong desire to help improve the life of a child.

A mix of radio, print press (both local and national) and online advertising, complemented by PR activity, will drive this year's recruitment. With fewer Local Authorities recruiting this year, the campaign will focus on local/regional activity using local radio stations and press titles that cover only those areas recruiting.

The Children's Panel is unique to Scotland and was established in 1971 to address the needs and behaviour of children and young people who face serious problems in their lives. These problems can include, for example, a child being abused, a child failing to attend school, the child's parents having difficulty looking after them or a child committing an offence.

Children are referred to a children's hearing where compulsory measures of supervision are thought to be needed. A children's hearing is a lay tribunal of three panel members. The child, parents/carers and relevant professionals all normally attend the hearing and take part in the discussion. The children's hearing considers and makes decisions on the measures required to best meet the needs of the child or young person before them. The "needs" of the child include addressing any "deeds".

Key Statistics

* There are around 2,500 panel volunteers in Scotland.
* In 2008/09 there were 42,866 children's hearings held.
* 47,178 children were referred to the Children's Reporter in 2008/09 - the majority (39,105) on care and protection grounds.

Stuart Smith case study

Children's Panel member Stuart Smith, aged 24 from Renfrew, knows exactly how easy it is for a young person to find themselves in trouble, having experienced the panel from the other side when he was a teenager.

He explains why his experience as a child led him to applying two years ago, "When I was in high school I got in with the wrong crowd and ended up in trouble - mostly for ditching school. So when I found myself in front of the Children's Panel it was a massive shock. I was mortified when I saw that a member of the panel was a man who knew my mum and gran. I had no idea that panel members were ordinary folk from the community. Obviously he couldn't say anything outside of the hearing but I felt really embarrassed. It was the kick I needed to sort myself out.

"I'm about to start studying Social Work at the University of West of Scotland and I was looking for a volunteering opportunity that would support this and allow me to help other people in the community. The Children's Panel was perfect.

"But I originally thought that the panel was made up of older adults - I didn't realise that anyone over the age of 18 could apply - so I didn't get involved until quite recently. I was lucky enough to be accepted in June 2009.

Becoming a Children's Panel member means making complex decisions that affect a child and their family so intensive training is given to all panel members.

Stuart said: "The training took place every second week for about 13 weeks. It covered all aspects of the panel, including legislation and the role of the reporter. I was in a class of 13 people and we were picked out to take part in a mock panel hearing. This included reading a set of mock case notes. It was really useful.”

"The first time you sit on a panel is very nerve wracking. You never forget the responsibility that you have and sometimes I do leave a hearing wondering if I've made the right decision. But you need to remember that there are always three people on a panel, all with an equal say. The decisions are made on what is best for the child and you get all the papers in advance.”

"The panel makes you more aware of what's happening in your community and that kids from all backgrounds can end up in the care system. The best part of being a panel member is when you can help to turn this around.”

"When I was growing up I was a tearaway before I calmed down so I can relate to many of the children that I meet through the panel. Situations such as gang fighting can be passed down the line from older brothers or sisters and it's easy to get involved with the wrong people.”

"However, the majority of the children that I see through the Children's Panel have been referred due to a breakdown in their home life. Most of the children I have come across are not on a supervision order due to any fault of their own. It's usually down to a lack of parenting skills. In fact, it's very few and far between that children are referred to us for offending behaviour.”

As well as meeting new people Stuart has also gained some valuable skills from becoming a Children's Panel member. He said, "I've always been very indecisive but I'm much better at decision making. I've learnt a lot. I've covered some of the social issues in college but you don't get to go into depth. The case notes you're given as a panel member cover everything in a child's life from what their family home is like to nourishment. It can sometimes be difficult to read. But it makes you thankful for what you've got.

"Perhaps the biggest change in me is that I understand people better. When I'm out on the town with mates I'm less judgemental about some of the people I meet and I can be quite defensive when my friends make comments about people they don't know.”

Stuart goes on to describe what makes a good panel member, "You've got to care about what's happening to people and want to help. We need people from all walks of life and with different backgrounds. Anyone who genuinely cares about children can be a panel member. There's full training and a buddy support network so you can pick up the phone for advice at anytime.”

"It's also really important that people are aware of the commitment required. Some of the papers that we read before a hearing can be extremely time consuming and you need to be available for the sessions. It's not something that you can just pop along to when you have some free time - we need people who're prepared to commit. But if you're willing and dedicated then you'll reap the personal rewards too.”

"I put up a lot of barriers before I finally committed to the panel but the training has made all the difference to the things I thought I couldn't do. The only person stopping you becoming a panel member is yourself."