Carnoustie solicitor struck off for ‘reprehensible’ conduct

Walter Ruark, a prominent Carnoustie solicitor, has been struck off by the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal.

The former partner of Gourley McBain, past president of Carnoustie Rotary Club and an elder at Panbride Church, was found guilty of professional misconduct.

The tribunal concluded Ruark twice took money from the estates of deceased clients and attempted to cover his behaviour.

It branded Ruark’s conduct “reprehensible”, “disgraceful” and “dishonourable” for his professional misconduct on numerous occasions over a lengthy period.

Valerie Johnston, representing the Law Society at the tribunal, said Ruark “clearly” did not recognise his obligations.

“He stole clients’ money and took money from trusts to cover liabilities elsewhere.”

A sum totalling £21,000 had been taken from three trusts.

The tribunal found that between April 1986 and February 2008 Ruark used funds in a trust to finance unauthorised loans to other clients. In the case of one £4,000 loan, the money was never recovered.