Margaret Anne Horsley

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 Margaret Anne Horsley alleging she had acted dishonestly, with a lack of integrity and deceitfully when using her father's Power of Attorney (averment 1) and when applying for Confirmation as her late mother's executor (averment 2). The Tribunal found her not guilty of professional misconduct on both averments. It expressly rejected dishonesty/deceit, attributing her failings as an attorney to inexperience and difficult family circumstances rather than dishonesty, though it noted her actions raised questions about her integrity. The first averment was remitted to the Law Society as possible unsatisfactory professional conduct under s.53ZA; the second was not remitted as the evidence was insufficient. The Complainers were found liable in 75% of the Respondent's expenses (at a reduced unit rate of £7 because her representative was not a solicitor), and publicity naming the Respondent, family members and witnesses was directed.

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent was acting as a family attorney, not in her professional capacity
• Lack of experience/competence in private client work and acting as attorney
• Difficult family dynamic and estrangement
• Both parents had capacity and Respondent believed marriage was still functioning
• No personal financial gain (signing the V5 reduced cost of car the mother intended to buy anyway)
• Respondent attempted to be even-handed to both parents

⚠ figures not found verbatim in the source were dropped: ["review_dishonesty_finding_cue_present"]