Solicitor Jeremy Cram struck off owing one advocate £25,000

Jeremy Cram, 38, retained sums paid to him by the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) meant for advocates. He also instructed them to carry out work for which he had no legal aid funding and failed to pay them.

One advocate is owed more than £25,000 and has received nothing.

Mr Cram’s practice in Newmains, North Lanarkshire was closed in 2015 after complaints were made by the advocates to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC).

The Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal found Mr Cram guilty of professional misconduct. It was told he had commissioned work totalling £28,500.

Kenneth Paterson, vice-chairman of the tribunal, stated: “It is long established that upon a solicitor instructing counsel, the solicitor accepts responsibility for that counsel’s fees.

“On many occasions and for a long period, the respondent neglected his professional duties. He failed to pay the fees he was responsible for and which, in some cases, had been paid to him by [the Scottish Legal Aid Board].”