Annual Plan 2023-24

Our annual plan for 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024 includes 32 ambitious projects that have been agreed by our governing Council in line with the five key aims of our five-year strategy 2022-2027.

• Supporting our members to thrive
• Modern and effective regulation acting in the public interest
• Innovation and efficiency
• Influential voice that enhances our legal sector and justice
• Leading the profession

Our staff team will deliver the projects with support and guidance from the hundreds of volunteer solicitor and lay members of our Council and committees.

In our operating year from 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024, we aim to achieve everything in our annual plan, as well as provide an excellent day-to-day service for our members, the public and the organisations we work closely with. Our great day-to-day service is supported behind the scenes by our dedicated teams offering operational support, including human resources, IT, facilities, administration and finance.

Our day-to-day services to members, the public and others include:

• Setting, enforcing and monitoring standards to ensure the provision of excellent legal services - meaning the public can have confidence in Scotland's legal profession.
• Investigating complaints about solicitor conduct and where appropriate prosecute before the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal.
• Processing Client Protection Fund claims efficiently to ensure people who are the victims of a solicitor's dishonesty get the appropriate compensation.
• Protecting consumer interests by proactively inspecting the finances of hundreds of legal firms to ensure client money is protected and intervening in firms when there is a critical need to do so, including judicial factors.
• Providing details of solicitors to thousands of members of the public who call us for help with their specific circumstances.
• Scrutinising legislation at Holyrood and Westminster, suggesting amendments to improve the law and responding to consultations across a range of public policy areas.
• Providing support for trainee and newly qualified solicitors and those interested in a career in law, whilst continuing our schools outreach through the Street Law programme and Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament.
• Delivering thousands of hours of CPD (continuing professional development) so that solicitors, accredited paralegals, trainees and others working in the legal profession can maintain and enhance their skills.
• Providing help and guidance for members to support their emotional wellbeing through our Lawscot Wellbeing online resource.
• Offering confidential advice to members on practice rules and ethics through our professional practice team.
• Keeping our members informed through tailored email updates relevant to their practice areas and interests, regular social media posts and our award-winning Journal.