A senior legal figure who once survived a knife attack by a hitman has died of cancer.

 

Tributes were paid to Leslie Cumming, former chief accountant and deputy chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland, who was attacked nine years ago following his role as chief investigator in a probe into lawyers' activities, after he died at St Columba's Hospice in Edinburgh.

During more than two decades at the Scottish solicitors' professional body, he oversaw major improvements to the way law firms were regulated in order to protect the public.

Under his auspices, the society introduced a more rigorous inspections regime for law firms, identifying financial and accounting problems and irregularities, and he worked to ensure that claims involving the Society's Guarantee Fund were dealt with speedily and effectively.

He joined the Law Society as its chief accountant in 1984 and remained for 22 years until his retirement in 2006.

The society said Mr Cumming once said he was "on remarkably good terms with a profession who no doubt see me as the regulator with the big stick".

Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society, said: "Leslie was well regarded by his colleagues and seen as very effective by the Law Society and its members, providing a wealth of experience and enthusiasm.

"We were saddened to hear the news of his death and extend our condolences to his family.

"As chief accountant, Leslie oversaw and instigated huge change in our regulatory work and financial monitoring, which resulted in more robust processes and greater levels of public protection.

"His later promotion to deputy chief executive highlighted the importance of his role within the society at that time and the work he did to improve how solicitors run their businesses and, most importantly, enhance the protections for the clients who rely on solicitors' services and advice."

In 2011 Robert Graham was jailed for the attempted murder of Mr Cumming.

Graham lay in wait for Mr Cumming to return home before launching the assault in a darkened lane in Edinburgh in January 2006.

Mr Cumming was given the role amid concerns about money laundering operations involving lawyers.

Police believe Graham was ordered to kill Mr Cumming, the then deputy chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland, by someone who had been "disgruntled" by investigations into allegedly crooked lawyers.

A funeral service is being held at Warriston Crematorium, Lorimer Chapel, Edinburgh, on Monday.