Solicitor rapped for ‘fling’ with vulnerable woman

A MARRIED lawyer who had sex with a vulnerable woman client referred to him by a domestic abuse charity was fined £5,000 by a solicitors’ disciplinary body.

The experienced solicitor was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to his former lover and apologise to the charity which works to end domestic violence against women and children.

The Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal found him guilty of professional misconduct and censured him.

It said while the unnamed lawyer acted for the woman in 2010, he and the woman had “frequent sexual intercourse” at his office, her home and other locations including a hotel in Aberdeen.

The woman had gone to the charitable organisation following matrimonial difficulties. Her husband had been charged by the police over allegations of assault against her, although he was later found not guilty after a trial.

The relationship continued after the solicitor, a father-oftwo, no longer acted for her. The consensual sexual relationship went on until about February 2012.The solicitor is now reconciled with his wife.

During a private hearing, solicitor advocate Elaine Motion said the relationship started within the lawyer’s office when the woman perceived herself to be the victim of an abusive marriage.

Solicitor Walter Macreath, who represented the lawyer, said sexual relationships between clients and solicitors did occur, but the lawyer’s responsibility was not to cross the boundary.

It said: “The respondent should have known better and committed a serious error of judgement.”