Lawyer censured and fined £1,000 over AML failures

Stephen McGuire, of Hennessy Bowie, was censured by the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal (SSDT). He was cashroom manager and AML partner and thereafter money laundering reporting officer at the firm. A number of inspections of the firm’s accounts between 2013 and 2016 found serious failings.

His conduct “in relation to a wide variety of breaches over a significant period of time fell below the standards of conduct to be expected of a competent and reputable solicitor to a serious and reprehensible degree. He was therefore guilty, in cumulo, of professional misconduct”.

The SSDT stated: “The Tribunal considered whether a restriction on the Respondent’s practising certificate was necessary but was satisfied there was no ongoing risk to the public. His former partner had been struck off, and the Respondent had taken on another solicitor who was assisting with compliance. The Respondent’s formal instruction to wind up the firm by Easter 2022 supported the Tribunal’s view that a Censure and Fine of £1,000 would be sufficient in all the circumstances of this case.”