Sunday Mail (UK)

Murder dance lawyers made my life hell

Employee says he quit after being bullied by his bosses

- Jennifer Hyland

Lawyers accused of a bullying campaign against a colleague joked about performing a “murder dance” to celebrate landing big cases, a tribunal has heard.

Ian Bryce and his business partner Neil Robertson faced allegation­s they made the lives of staff a misery and mocked the plight of clients accused of serious crimes.

The claims emerged after a former employee who faced being struck off for misconduct won a five-year battle to clear his name.

Glenn Fraser, 50, removed client files from the offices of Central Court Lawyers in Livingston, where he worked with Bryce and Robertson, after deciding to set up his own business.

The solicitor said he resigned after 14 years because of the pressure he was under from the firm’s two senior partners.

He said he worked 17- hour days, endured insults and was discourage­d from taking holidays.

Fraser revealed how he was ridiculed over his medical condition and that he was told: “A five-year- old could do your job.”

During the tribunal, Fraser said he had found it deeply unpleasant to realise he had let himself be bullied.

Bryce, 49, was said to have referred to him as a “big daft lump” and was accused of being “awk wa rd ” when Fraser asked for time off after his dad died.

Fraser left the firm in May 2014, after which Bryce reported him to the police for theft and data breaches but no action was taken.

However, he was hauled before a hearing of the Scottish Sol icitors’ Discipline Tribunal (SSDT) and faced the prospect of losing his career.

He told how he is “delighted “after being found not guilty of profession­al misconduct.

Fraser, who now runs Fraser & Co Criminal Defence Ltd in Livingston, said: “The bullying affected my confidence. I enjoy my job, it’s fulfilling and I still work hard.

“It was never going to be a 9-5 job but it can’t be relentless. I’m absolutely delighted at the judgment. Now I can concentrat­e on my business and my family.”

Fraser added that he hoped others who find themselves in a similar position find the strength to seek help.

He said: “Being called a big daft lump was hurtful. I still feel awkward talking about it.”

Bryce, who resigned as a partner in Central Court Lawyers in 2018, is a solicitor advocate who appears in the High Court.

He is also legal vice-chair of the Parole Board and a legal convener on the Mental Health Tribunal.

The tribunal heard that, after Fraser left the firm, Bryce said he wanted to destroy him over his “betrayal” and would “go to war”.

Giving evidence, Bryce said a reference to a “murder dance” in an email he sent in

May 2014 was meant “as a joke”. The email had been submitted as part of the firm’s evidence in the case against Fraser.

The tribunal also heard that, after Fraser’s departure, Bryce and Robertson, 50, instructed staff to position themselves to intercept clients at Livingston Sheriff Court, where they worked.

Fraser also gave evidence and told the tribunal he began to suffer panic attacks. It was only after his wife said she was worried about his health that he decided to quit Central Court Lawyers.

Fraser’s claims about the “terrible” working environmen­t were backed at the tribunal by two solicitors and another senior partner, Vincent McGovern, who previously worked at the firm.

One of the lawyers, Sarah Meechan, told how her mum had died three days before her wedding. Bryce attended the evening reception and is alleged to have asked her dad when she was returning to work.

Both Bryce and Robertson denied claims they had mistreated staff and said they were not aware that Fraser was under so much stress.

Fraser was found not guilty of profession­al misconduct after the tribunal said they believed he had taken the action because of the way he had been treated.

They ruled he had only taken files he was working on to make photocopie­s and quickly returned the documents.

Fraser said he had a responsibi­lity to keep records because he was the “nominated solicitor” in the cases.

In a written report, SSDT vice- chair Colin Bell said: “It was the respondent’s position that his relationsh­ip with the two secondary complainer­s had broken down. His work environmen­t was such that it was affecting his health and his life. “Having listened to all of the evidence, the t r ibunal bel ieved the respondent. His descriptio­n of his work environmen­t and relationsh­ip with the secondary compla iners was supported by the evidence of the defence witnesses.” Central Court Lawyers decl ined to comment.

I enjoy my job and work hard.. being called a big daft lump was hurtful

 ??  ?? ROWS
From left, lawyers Bryce, Robertson and Fraser
ROWS From left, lawyers Bryce, Robertson and Fraser
 ??  ?? CLAIMS Central Court Lawyers’ offices in Livingston
CLAIMS Central Court Lawyers’ offices in Livingston

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom