Catriona Macbeth

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

Catriona Macbeth, an assistant solicitor, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor arising from six client matters involving failures including claims struck out for missed time limits, failure to consider funding options, failure to submit Legal Aid applications, failure to notify clients of strike out, and removal of a paragraph from a head of loss schedule without client authority, as well as failing to respond to Law Society correspondence. She did not appear or participate in proceedings. The Tribunal, finding both allegations substantiated and noting particular concern over the unauthorised schedule alteration, suspended her from practice indefinitely and ordered her to pay costs of £1,786.87. No express finding of dishonesty was made; the Applicant did not put the case on the basis of taking unfair advantage.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Act in the client's best interests

Aggravating factors:

• Removal of a paragraph from a head of loss schedule without the client's authority
• Claims struck out for failure to comply with time limits
• Failure to notify client of strike out
• Played no part in proceedings and offered no explanation