(unnamed respondent)

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

Nicola Cannon, the Money Laundering Reporting Officer of Cannons Law Practice LLP, failed to deliver her firm's money laundering compliance certificate on time (roughly six months overdue). The Law Society's Professional Conduct Sub-Committee found unsatisfactory professional conduct, imposed the statutorily mandated censure and a £800 fine. The Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal dismissed her appeal, rejecting arguments that the Society had no power to make the complaint and that the sanctions were excessive, and awarded expenses against her. The Court of Session (Inner House) refused her petition, holding the procedure competent and lawful, no breach of natural justice or ECHR articles 6/8, and the censure and fine neither disproportionate nor unreasonable. No dishonesty was alleged or found.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• AML and crime-prevention compliance

Aggravating factors:

• Certificate outstanding for a prolonged period (delivered in December 2022, some six months overdue)
• On notice of the deadline before onset of health problems
• Inadequate arrangements put in place during absence
• Overly casual attitude to an important professional duty which was personal to her as reporting officer

Mitigating factors:

• Serious accident abroad on 10 February 2022 requiring surgery
• Subsequent pre-planned surgery and convalescence until 1 May 2022
• First occurrence of such a failure
• Small firm with few support staff and modest income
• Unreserved apology