Misconduct claims over lawyers to be made public

THE details of cases where advocates have been accused of misconduct will be published in response to a row over misogyny in the legal profession.

It comes after defence lawyer Brian McConnachie, QC, faced allegations of making inappropriate sexual comments about an anti-rape campaigner.

The Faculty of Advocates disclosed last week that Mr McConnachie had also been found guilty of ‘unsatisfactory’ conduct after calling a client a liar while using an abusive term.

The move to boost transparency comes amid concern over the secrecy surrounding complaints processes in other areas, such as politics or policing.

In a memo to members, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates Roddy Dunlop, QC, said disciplinary decisions would be published online. He wrote: ‘This is an essential part of ensuring transparency and accountability in… disciplinary processes.’

Last week the Mail revealed a another memo was sent to Faculty members with a warning on claims of a ‘culture of misogyny at the Scottish Bar’.