Zosia Marion Elizabeth Fraser

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Respondent, a solicitor, embezzled £1,315 of clients' money while employed at Muir Myles Laverty by receiving cash for fees and VAT and failing to remit it to the firm. She pled guilty to embezzlement at Dundee Sheriff Court and received a 160-hour Community Service Order. The Tribunal, under s.53(1)(b) of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980, found the conviction involved dishonesty and struck her name from the Roll of Solicitors, finding her not a fit and proper person. She was found liable for the expenses of the Complainers and the Tribunal on an agent and client indemnity basis, and publicity including her name was ordered.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Course of conduct involving multiple incidents rather than a one-off
• Offences committed while an employee handling client funds
• Conduct disgraceful, dishonourable and contrary to professional ethical standards

Mitigating factors:

• Money largely repaid at the time and fully repaid by court appearance
• Respondent contrite and apologetic
• Worked acceptably with another firm for 2 years after the incident
• Financial pressures and an underlying medical condition
• Positive reference, psychiatric and social enquiry reports lodged