Defence solicitor who let client access confidential files fined £2,000

Leon Kondol, 40, from Glasgow, was hired to represent a man accused of the sexual abuse of children.

He shared witness statements given to police and medical reports with the accused, contrary to an undertaking he had made not to do so in his request for disclosure of evidence from the Crown Office. His client was convicted on various charges and thereafter complained to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC).

An SSDT panel has now found Mr Kondol, who said the client had put sustained pressure on him, guilty of professional misconduct.

The SSDT stated: “The tribunal took account of what was said on the respondent’s behalf regarding pressure from the client. However, competent and reputable solicitors must be able to withstand these kinds of demands from clients.

“Failure to do so brings the profession into disrepute and has consequences for the criminal justice system. Witnesses may not be prepared to give statements to the police if solicitors provide them to accused persons.”