Arbroath solicitor denies embezzling more than £500,000. 18 November 2013 Last updated at 12:45 A former solicitor has denied embezzling more than £500,000 from his clients. Graeme Herald, who was a partner at Herald & Co Solicitors in Arbroath, is accused of taking the money between 12 October 2001 and 6 October 2006. Dundee Sheriff Court was told the 55-year-old is said to have embezzled £570,046.47 in total. Herald is to stand trial following a further pre-trial hearing requested by his solicitor. The court heard the 55-year-old is alleged to have taken sums ranging between £2,000 and £90,000 from 14 separate clients, including £85,558.47 from the estates of four dead clients. Prosecutors said the cash had been deposited with the firm by clients "in pursuance of their legal affairs." Dundee Sheriff Court heard that Mr Herald is accused of having "appropriated the sums of money without lawful authority." He is alleged to have taken it "without proper accounting" and "for his own use and purpose." Herald, from Edinburgh, entered a not guilty plea to the embezzlement charge. His solicitor, Gary McIlravey, asked for a further pre-trial hearing to allow the defence to prepare its case fully. Sheriff Richard Davidson ordered Herald to attend a further hearing later this month.