Steven Angus Anderson

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

Steven Angus Anderson, a Glasgow solicitor, was found guilty of professional misconduct following a complaint by the Law Society of Scotland. Over roughly 7 years he engaged in a long-running, systematic abuse of the Legal Aid Fund—making multiple/repetitive grants of advice and assistance, charging for work not done, overcharging mileage, holding unnecessary meetings to inflate fees, granting advice and assistance to clients already on legal aid, and submitting accounts twice. He also failed to respond to correspondence, a mandate, and statutory notices, including in a case where a client was unlawfully remanded in custody. The Tribunal expressly found that elements of his conduct disclosed a degree of dishonesty (double-billing, overcharging travel, and unnecessary meetings to inflate fees). Given the length and systematic nature of the abuse, the dishonesty, and a prior censure, the Tribunal ordered him struck off the Roll. He was found liable in expenses, restricted by 50% for procedure prior to the proof and unrestricted thereafter, with publicity ordered.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper benefit, loan or bequest
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• No improper solicitation or touting
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Course of conduct persisted for approximately 7 years
• Systematic abuse of the Legal Aid Fund
• Considered and wilful behaviour
• Misconduct directed at a fellow solicitor, his professional body and a public fund
• Elements of dishonesty
• Previous Finding of professional misconduct (Censure on 3 June 2008) for failing to respond to Law Society correspondence
• Little insight shown in mitigation
• Client left unlawfully remanded in custody due to failures

Mitigating factors:

• Eventually admitted guilt/tendered plea to part of the charges
• Acknowledged he had to face consequences
• Had ceased legal aid work; previously subject to 5-year legal aid suspension
• Limited current income