Stephen Richard Lochrie

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

The Council of the Law Society of Scotland brought a complaint against solicitor Stephen Richard Lochrie alleging professional misconduct, including aspects of dishonesty and lack of integrity, arising from incorrect information he gave to a fellow solicitor (DC) on 26 April 2022 about searches for a BVI company. By the time of the Preliminary Hearing, the Complainers, via a Joint Minute, deleted the averments of dishonesty and most misconduct allegations, leaving only one amended averment regarding a possible breach of Rule B1.14.1. The Tribunal found that the Respondent had made an honest mistake (genuinely believing the information true at the time), that no breach of Rule B1.14.1 was established, and found him not guilty of professional misconduct. It also declined to remit the matter under section 53ZA, finding no basis for unsatisfactory professional conduct. The Tribunal awarded expenses to the Respondent against the Complainers on the normal basis but refused the Respondent's motion for a higher, fully indemnifying award, not being satisfied the Complainers acted unreasonably or incompetently. It certified the case as appropriate for Junior Counsel only and directed that publicity name the Respondent.