William Pirie Rennie

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

The Respondent, a sole practitioner trading as Rennie & Co, had a shortage of £139,484.59 on his general client account, arising from continuous transfers of client money into his firm account to keep it within overdraft limits. A Judicial Factor was appointed in November 2004. He also failed to respond to Law Society enquiries and statutory notices regarding two client complaints, and failed to pay £500 compensation ordered under Section 42A in relation to an inadequate professional service complaint by Mr and Mrs A. The Tribunal found professional misconduct and, finding deliberate acts of dishonesty over a prolonged period, struck him off the Roll despite mitigation (remorse, cooperation, medical report).

Duties found breached:

• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct continued over a considerable/prolonged period of time
• Misappropriation of client money for personal gain
• Breach of position of trust
• Number of deliberate acts of dishonesty

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent remorseful and cooperated by tendering pleas to both Complaints
• Medical report from the Respondent's doctor submitted in mitigation
• Respondent's written statement explaining he was in a desperate state at the time
• Evidence of Mr and Mrs A agreed by Joint Minute as a result of Respondent's cooperation