By Stefan Morkis

A FORMER Dundee solicitor who embezzled more than £1000 from the firm where she worked has been struck off the roll of solicitors.

Zosia Fraser admitted last year that she took £1315 while working at Muir, Myles, Laverty, of Meadow Place Buildings, between April 2003 and June 2004.

She was sentenced to 160 hours of community service after pleading guilty to the charge in a criminal court.

The Council of the Law Society of Scotland then took Ms Fraser to the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal after her conviction.

Being struck from the roll of solicitors is the SSDT’s severest sanction and means the 30-year-old will never be able to practise in Scotland again.

In her defence, Ms Fraser’s solicitor David McKie told the tribunal, which sat in February, that financial pressures had led her to act “recklessly and dishonestly.”

He added she was contrite about her actions and that she had worked at another legal firm for two years after the incidents.

In his judgment, the tribunal’s vice-chairman Kenneth Robb said, “The essential qualities of a solicitor are honesty, truthfulness and integrity.

“The respondent’s conduct in this case is regrettably disgraceful and dishonourable and totally contrary to the ethical standards expected of the legal profession.

“The tribunal noted the financial pressures that the respondent was under but many solicitors starting out in practice will have student debts and financial problems.

“This cannot be used as an excuse for embezzlement.”

Mr Robb concluded, “In the circumstances, despite the diligent work done by the respondent after the incident, the tribunal considers the respondent’s conduct brings the profession into such disrepute that she cannot continue as a lawyer and she is not a fit and proper person to be on the roll of solicitors.”

Ms Fraser, who was also found liable for the expenses of the complainers and the tribunal, has not lodged an appeal against the tribunal’s decision.