If you are a "new lawyer", welcome to the Society's New Lawyers Portal! The Society is committed to engaging with you during your years of study, your traineeship and throughout your first five years as a qualified solicitor in the Scottish legal profession.
*NEWS* ABS Referendum, SGM and Consultation
Members - how you can contribute:
1. Cast your vote in the ABS referendum 23 March and 7 April.
2. Attend the SGM on 25 March or submit your proxy by 23 March.
3. Take part in the Society's consultation on ABS regulatory scheme - closing 16 April.
Have your say in the future of the solicitor profession in Scotland.
ABS section of the website.
The ABS section aims to provide information about alternative business structures and the ongoing reform of the legal services market. It contains regular updates from the Society on the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill as it passes through the Scottish Parliament and links to all the relevant policy papers and responses. A comprehensive set of FAQs is available and links are provided to news and updates focusing on ABS.
*NEWS* Networking Event for New Lawyers 31st March 2010
The Trainee and Newly Qualified Society (TANQ) are hosting a seminar on Networking. The event is being held at 6pm on Wednesday 31st March at the Royal Faculty Hall, 12 Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow. TANQ will be joined by seminar speaker Chris Horne (Managing Partner, Campbell Dallas). The event is being run by TANQ and is supported by the Society. Entry is free but you need to book in advance.
*NEWS* The Law Society is delighted to announce it has recently launched a recruitment website for traineeships and summer placements. The site is free for job hunters and recruiters to use and the Society will continue to encourage training organisations to use the site. Visit www.lawscotjobs.co.uk/traineeships
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National New Lawyers Survey
National New Lawyers Survey - thank you for completing the survey. The results of the survey will be summarised soon.
December edition of New Lawyers' News
The most recent edition of New Lawyers' News has was distribtuted in December 2009. Click here to read this edition.
DEALING WITH THE DOWNTURN
The Society is developing a series of initiatives designed to support new lawyers affected by the current climate. Visit the New Lawyers pages for further details.
The most recent edition of New Lawyers' News has jsut been distributed. Click here to read this edition.
Our work with New Lawyers...
In July 2006, the Society appointed its first New Lawyers' Coordinator, to develop methods of engaging and supporting "new lawyers". "New lawyers" are (i) those considering embarking on the study of law; (ii) LLB and Diploma students; (iii) trainee solicitors; (iv) solicitors who have been working in the profession for five years or less; and, crucially, (v) people who are, for whatever reason, in between stages.
It is vital that the Society develops relationships not only with its current members, but also those who are the future of the Scottish legal profession. The Society wishes to be a constant presence during an individual's route to qualification as a solicitor. We say "individual" because new lawyers are an increasingly diverse group, and we must take account of that in designing projects to support them.
The New Lawyers' Engagement Strategy launched on Monday, 15th October 2007. Download the full strategy document, comprising three year action plan, from the right hand side of this page. Read an article from the October 2007 edition of the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland by clicking here. Read an article on the launch in the Scotsman on Monday 15th October 2008 by clicking here. Over three years, from 2007 to 2010, the Society will implement the New Lawyers' Engagement Strategy. You can click on the link on the right hand side of this page to read the Society's vision of the future. The Society's mission is:
"to increase and improve the opportunities for new lawyers to interact and engage with the Society and the profession, and to continually challenge these opportunities for the better."
The Society is working closely with the Scottish Young Lawyers' Association (SYLA) in the delivery of certain projects. Click here to complete the short registration form to receive communications from the Society. Visit the SYLA by clicking on the image below, and click here to become an SYLA member by completing the online membership form:
Examples of what you will find if you surf the New Lawyers Portal.....
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Ever wanted to know what life as a trainee solicitor is really like? Read
"The life and times of a lawyer-to-be" , the blogs of John Geddes, a second year trainee solicitor and Louise Aitchison, a first year trainee solicitor
here.
Please contact newlawyers@lawscot.org.uk and share your views on the New Lawyers' Engagement Strategy with the Society's Development Officer, Heather McPhee. If you wish to sponsor the projects the Society is running in support of new lawyers, please download the Society's Promotional Opportunities Booklet from the right hand side of this page.
NOTE: This section of the website is not the main source of information on the route to qualification, or the Society’s Professional Exams. Always read the main Education and Training section first, and supplement your information with that contained in the New Lawyers Portal.
