(unnamed respondent)

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

Mr Anoliefo appealed under s42ZA(10) of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 against the Law Society PCSC's decision (12 December 2024) to take no further action on his complaint of unsatisfactory professional conduct against solicitor Haroun Malik. The complaint concerned two issues: that Mr Malik failed to treat the appellant with respect by pressuring him to hurry his case, and that Mr Malik/his firm failed to act on instructions to appeal the appellant's conviction. At a preliminary hearing, the Tribunal upheld the Law Society's preliminary pleas that the eight grounds of appeal lacked relevancy and specification, finding the appellant made only general references to legislation and 'general law' without demonstrating how the PCSC breached the Hood principles (error of law, finding with no evidence, or fundamental error of approach). With no stateable case, the Tribunal dismissed the appeal under Rule 50(5) of the 2024 Rules. No finding of professional misconduct or unsatisfactory professional conduct was made against any solicitor; dishonesty was not in issue. The appellant was found liable in the Law Society's expenses (taxed party-and-party, unit rate £18.00) and publicity was directed.