Michael Charles Gray

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

Michael Charles Gray, an Edinburgh sole practitioner, faced three conjoined complaints by the Law Society covering numerous clients, involving failures to reply to the Society's enquiries, failures to implement mandates, failures to complete conveyancing transactions (exposing clients and lenders to risk), failure to deliver title deeds, failure to carry out work for which fees were taken in advance, and delay in settling a professional account. He did not lodge answers or appear. The Tribunal found him guilty of professional misconduct singularly and in cumulo, noting his disgraceful and dishonourable cavalier attitude and two prior misconduct findings, and ordered his name struck off the Roll, made Section 53C(2) orders for failure to comply with the Society's determinations, and found him liable for expenses. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Avoid wasting the court's time
• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Diligence and timeliness

Aggravating factors:

• Two previous findings of professional misconduct (fined two lots of \u00a33000 and practising certificate restricted for 10 years for analogous matters)
• Numerous complaints from many clients and members of the public
• Total disregard for the Law Society and interests of clients
• Failure to comply with numerous Determinations and Directions
• Clients and lenders left exposed to serious risk and damage
• Conduct described as disgraceful and dishonourable
• Closed down office without notice to clients