Gerard Noble Nesbitt

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

The Respondent, a solicitor, was convicted at the High Court of Justiciary in Glasgow of being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin and sentenced to 3 years 6 months imprisonment. The complaint proceeded solely under Section 53(1)(b) of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 based on the imprisonment term. The Tribunal made no finding of misconduct or dishonesty, but concluded the serious conviction, reinforced by a previous analogous 1984 conviction, warranted striking his name from the Roll. Costs awarded to the Complainers on the usual basis (taxed, unit rate £14.00).

Duties found breached:

• No standing bail or surety for client

Aggravating factors:

• Serious conviction prosecuted in the High Court
• Large quantity and value of drugs (31kg, max street value £155,000) at upper end of offending
• Previous analogous conviction from 1984 for possession of drugs with intent to supply
• Damage caused to the reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Showed remorse in his letters
• Cooperated fully with the Law Society
• Did not defend the Complaint
• Offered apologies for bringing the profession into disrepute