Lawyer given fine over high-end food and drink expenses claims

A lawyer who wrongly billed the taxpayer for high-end food and drink expenses has been fined £5,000 by a legal watchdog.

Duncan Burd, 58, submitted claims to the Scottish Legal Aid Board (Slab) that included receipts for expensive lunches and dinners.

Mr Burd, a lawyer with 35 years’ experience, claimed refunds for alcohol and food including a visit to a venue owned by top chef Martin Wishart.

He also claimed for champagne, whisky and wine as well as travel expenses.

Slab Officials had warned Burd over his conduct and he was hauled before the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal (SSDT) where he faced allegations of professional misconduct between 2012 and 2015.

The hearing was told Slab officials challenged Burd over several of his expense claims including a hotel bill from 2014 for £351.45 that included champagne, whisky and wine.

He was also questioned over a bill for £351.80 – including £146 for alcohol – he racked up at Wishart’s restaurant.

Burd, who works for a law firm based in Portree on the Isle of Skye, had rejected the accusations and insisted he only expected to be reimbursed for a portion of his claims.

But an SSDT hearing in March saw him found guilty of professional misconduct and fined.

However, the tribunal said they believed he had not acted dishonestly.