Celeste Daniela Scotece

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

Respondent solicitor convicted at Derby Crown Court of possession with intent to supply cannabis after being arrested with the drug concealed on her while attending a client in custody, having arranged for the prisoner to be brought to court to be supplied. She was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment. She also gave an untrue explanation to The Law Society, claiming the cannabis was for personal use. The Tribunal found the allegations admitted and substantiated, struck her off the Roll and ordered costs of £1,092. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Intended to supply her client in prison
• Manipulated the court process to have a serving prisoner brought to court
• Offence committed in the course of practice as a solicitor
• Serious damage to reputation of the profession and gross breach of trust

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted the allegations
• Pleaded guilty to the criminal charge