Disciplinary Decisions
Disciplinary Tribunal Decision - Smith 2019/04
UPDATE 30 September 2026: The Faculty of Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal has now ruled on a complaint concerning the conduct of Andrew Smith KC. The Tribunal set aside the earlier decision of the Faculty of Advocates Complaints Committee decision dated May 2024 and July 2024, and dismissed the compliant in its entirety.
The Disciplinary Tribunal operates independently of the Faculty. In this instance, it was chaired by Lord Drummond-Young, a retired Senator of the College of Justice. He sat with one King's Counsel, one senior advocate and three lay members.
The full written decision will appear here in due course.
UPDATE 10 July 2026: The decision of a Faculty of Advocates’ Disciplinary Tribunal of 18 July 2025 was set aside on 9 June 2026 as a result of a Petition for Judicial Review by Andrew Smith KC.
In consequence of the Judicial Review decision, the earlier decision of a Faculty of Advocates Complaints Committee dated May and July of 2024 to uphold various heads of the complaint returns to effect, pending its review by a new Disciplinary Tribunal in early course.
Disciplinary Tribunal Decision - McConnachie 2021/02
The Faculty of Advocates Discipline Tribunal has now ruled on a complaint made about the actions of Brian McConnachie KC. The Tribunal upheld an appeal against the decision of a Complaints Committee, and held that Mr McConnachie was guilty of professional misconduct. With regard to sanction, the Tribunal has decided that Mr McConnachie will be subject to a severe written censure in respect of each of the heads of complaint upheld by the Tribunal, and required to pay a fine of £8,000.
The Discipline Tribunal operates independently of Faculty, and in this instance was chaired by Lord Drummond-Young, a retired Senator of the College of Justice. He sat along with two Kings Counsel, and three laypersons. The decision on the appeal, and on sanction, was unanimous.
Disciplinary Tribunal Decision - Jackson 2021/06 & 2021/07
