An important correction and apology to Journal readers about 'Vanishing law firms' feature

Letter from the Editor

Dear Journal readers,

In September, the Journal published a series of articles about the future of law on Scotland’s high streets. We highlighted the challenges facing our small practices and the impact on access to justice.

This series was authored by several different people including freelance journalists. It has now come to my attention that one of these articles, entitled Vanishing law firms in the Highlands — when justice becomes a journey, and written by Victoria Goldiee, included comments from interviewees which are disputed and otherwise problematic.

On the balance of the evidence available, it is now my belief these quotations were falsely attributed to the interviewees and are likely to be fabricated. This is in breach of our editorial guidelines and the author’s contractual obligations.

As Editor and on behalf of the Journal, I wholeheartedly apologise for what has happened. I hold myself, the Journal and all our contributors to the highest editorial standards and on this occasion we have fallen well below those standards. This is professionally embarrassing and this apology is an article I am disappointed I have to publish when we should be discussing and celebrating all that is happening in this great profession.

I would stress that there is no concern that any of our other work in this important series, or elsewhere, is anything other than accurate and honest.

So, what action have we taken? The article was removed from our website when these issues came to my attention. I have contacted those to whom quotes were falsely attributed in the piece to offer my sincere apologies and to confirm that we are urgently reviewing our editorial processes to ensure this does not happen again. The Journal has also liaised with the Law Society of Scotland (from whom the publication is editorially independent) and will raise the matter with our Editorial Advisory Board, a body made up of legal practitioners representing the profession as a whole.

Both journalists and lawyers take information from clients and contributors in good faith and whilst we can be rigorous in our oversight, more rigour may now be demanded of all of us in the face of rapidly evolving technology.

The Journal is and always has been the publication for you, the members of the Society and I have the utmost respect for the support and faith solicitors give and put in the Journal and its content. I will endeavour to rebuild and maintain that trust.

I understand many of our readers and members may have questions in light of this news: I am happy to discuss and answer any questions, and can be reached by email at joshua.king@thinkpublishing.co.uk

Thank you for your continued support.

Joshua King

Editor, Journal of the Law Society of Scotland