Law Society of Scotland
This information reflects the Society's web site at the date you downloaded or printed it and you should check at www.lawscot.org.uk to see if it is still current.

PRESS RELEASE

CLSS BILL DEBATED IN PARLIAMENT

DAVID PRESTON, THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND SAID THE ORGANISATION'S PLANS FOR IMPROVING ITS PROCEDURES DEPEND ON THE COUNCIL OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND BILL BECOMING LAW. THE BILL WAS DEBATED IN THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY 26TH MARCH)
David Preston, the President of the Society welcomed the Scottish Parliament's debate on the Council of the Law Society of Scotland Bill today saying: "This will allow the Law Society of Scotland to modernise and improve its procedures and will implement some of the recommendations made in the Justice 1 Committee's report on regulation of the Scottish Legal profession published last year.
"As a statutory organisation, the Society is given its powers by Parliament. The membership and functions of the Society have grown and consumer expectations have changed. The Bill will enable the Society to continue its programme of modernisation.
"If the Bill becomes law, it will empower committees to make decisions rather than only make recommendations to the Society's Council. The Society is already increasing lay membership of client relations committees from 40% to 50% and is developing a system for delegating powers to committees.
"This will allow solicitors and lay committee members to use their expertise to make decisions in the interests of both the profession and the public and improve the Society's efficiency in handling complaints," he said.
The Bill was sponsored by David McLetchie, MSP and is supported by Roseanna Cunningham, MSP, Donald Gorrie, MSP and Pauline McNeill, MSP and has Scottish Executive support.
ENDS March 26th, 2003
Note to Editors: The Society was founded in 1949 and its objectives, stated in the 1980 Solicitors Scotland Act are "to promote the interests of the Scottish solicitors profession and the interests of the public in relation to the profession". Legislation states that the Council is made up of solicitors (currently 51) which meets monthly. The proposals will benefit consumers and Scottish solicitors. The report on the Bill which was prepared by the Justice 1 Committee of the Parliament was debated by the Society's Council when it met on the 20th December. The Council agreed to adopt the spirit of the recommendations in the report. 

Media Relations Office