Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal

Peter Manson Robertson

A complaint was made by the Council of the Law Society of Scotland against Peter Manson Robertson, c/o Blackadders LLP, 6 Bon Accord Square, Aberdeen. The Tribunal found the respondent guilty of professional misconduct in respect that he acted in a conflict of interest situation in a sale of heritable property between members of the same family and breached rules 3(1), 4(1) and 9 of the 2008 Practice Rules, and rules 3 and 5 of the 1986 Practice Rules. The Tribunal censured the respondent and fined him £7,500.

The respondent acted in a clear conflict of interest situation. In doing so he failed to act in the best interests of his clients, the secondary complainers. He acted without their authority. He did not communicate effectively with them regarding the sale and the funds which passed through his firm. His conduct clearly fell below the standard to be expected of a competent and reputable solicitor to a degree that could only be considered serious and reprehensible. Compensation was awarded to the secondary complainers in the sum of £4,836.38.