Six key moments from the 2026 Law Society of Scotland AGM including new eligibility rules for Society President

Scottish solicitors have agreed changes to the Law Society of Scotland's constitution to ensure compliance with new legislation and change presidential eligibility rules.

Legal practitioners, lay members and trainees joined Society staff for Thursday's Annual General Meeting to hear from the organisation's leadership and vote on a raft of resolutions.

New President Serena Sutherland oversaw proceedings along with CEO Ben Kemp - it was the first AGM in the roles for each of them. Gathered members also heard from outgoing President Patricia Thom.

Here are six key moments from the meeting:

A hello from a new President...

New President Serena Sutherland hails from Orkney and owns and manages a high street firm based in the north of Scotland with offices in Kirkwall, Stromness, Thurso and Elgin.

She said: "[Patricia] represented the Law Society and our profession at countless events both here and abroad, from Toronto to Downing Street.

"I will be working to build on the progress that has been made during Patricia’s term, including: Continuing to push for substantial reforms to put legal aid in Scotland back on a sustainable footing. A fee rise is coming soon, but we still need to secure a regular and reliable review mechanism to ensure access to justice is maintained. Patricia will remain involved as a member of the Fee Review Mechanism Group.

"Progressing with reforms to how we are regulated coming from the Regulation of Legal Services Act passed last year.

"And enhanced support for smaller firms, such as the business support events that have been held this year in Dumfries, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness."

Priorities for the coming year, Serena announced, will include focues on implementing regulation to maintain public confidence in the legal progression, how AI and other technology transforms the work of solicitors, and giving attention to teh opportunities and challenges for in-house solicitors.

She added: "I love being a Scottish solicitor and I’m proud of the path I took to get there. Not with an LLB but working my way up from secretary at the firm I now own, through a pre-Diploma traineeship and eventually to where I am today.

"I firmly believe that how and where someone starts out in life should never limit their potential."

...and a goodbye from a past President

Bidding farewell to her duties as President, Patricia Thom now tackles up the mantle as formal former President. During her tenure, she has championed the work of legal aid solicitors.

She said: "Many of you will know that as a long-time legal aid practitioner and member of the Society’s legal aid committee, improving the dire state of legal aid provision in Scotland has been an issue especially close to my heart.

"I have seen first-hand the consequences of long-term underinvestment and spoken out often on the urgent need for repair through proper and long term funding.

"While the serious decline in legal aid will not be reversed overnight we have seen encouraging signs of progress over the past 12 months.

"Crucially we have a commitment to a double digit fee rise of 13 per cent in September this year

"We have also been involved in the creation of the Legal Aid Fee Mechanism Review Group which I hope will bring an end to the ad hoc nature of reviews to funding such an important public service. I will remain on the group along with Ian Moir, co convener on the Socoety’s legal aid committee."

She added that this is "not the end of the story" and that the Society will continue to work to end the crisis in legal aid funding.

Ben Kemp announces change to practicing fee decision

In a significant change to the agenda of the AGM this year, proposals for the annual practising certificate fee for 2026/27 and 2027/28 will take place in September 2026 at a special general meeting. The change will, from 2027, mean members can vote on the annual fee more than a year ahead of implementation, providing for better planning for the Law Society and its members.

Society CEO Ben said: "The AGM is an important point in our operating year. It provides an opportunity to reflect on our progress and how we continue to evolve as your professional body.

"You will be aware that we have made a significant change to the AGM this year by moving proposals on the practising certificate fee to the autumn.

"This is a practical but important step which will, from next year, allow us to bring our proposal to members more than a year ahead of implementation, providing for better planning, both for the Society and for you and your organisations."

He added that the passing of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act last year amounted to the "culmination of a decade-long campaign", marked the end of a chapter and that the Society's priority is now to implement the changes successfully.

How to implement those new regulatory changes

A large majority voted through a series of changes to ensure that the Law Society’s governance framework remains aligned with its statutory obligations, and that the Regulatory Committee operates independently and effectively in exercising the organisation’s regulatory functions, in line with requirements of the 2025 legislation.

John Mulholland, new Vice President of the Society, said in proposing this resolution: "These changes focus on the role and operation of the Regulatory Committee and related governance provisions. They include updates to interpretation, committee structures, and relevant procedural provisions within the Constitution.

"The intention is to ensure that the Society’s governance framework remains fully aligned with our statutory obligations, and that the Regulatory Committee operates independently and effectively in exercising the Society’s regulatory functions.

"You will be aware that the Society’s Constitution already places responsibility for regulatory functions with the Regulatory Committee, including setting regulatory strategy and overseeing performance.

"These amendments will ensure that the framework continues to meet the requirements of the updated legislative environment under the 2025 Act. Approving these changes now will allow the Society to be fully prepared when the relevant provisions of the 2025 Act come into force."

Constitutional changes in full are available to read.

Who can be the president

Members also passed a resolution introducing changes to the constitution to allow members with less than three years on Council, to stand for election as president. The proposal also included improvements to nomination and voting processes in relation to the presidency.

Proposing, Council member Ken Dalling said: "As a former President of the Law Society, I know just what a huge privilege and honour it is to take up this role, with the support of my fellow members on Council.

"Our Council members show tremendous dedication and commitment through their involvement in the Society’s work and in representing their constituents, whether based in Scotland, elsewhere in the UK and indeed, internationally as we see more of our members taking up opportunities to work overseas.

"Taking up the role of president brings with it additional commitments and responsibilities and it is important that we remove all and any unnecessary barriers which might otherwise prevent excellent candidates from standing."

And finally — new auditors appointed 

The Law Society’s annual report and financial statements for 2024/25 were also approved at the meeting, alongside the appointment of new auditors Johnston Carmichael.

John Mulholland said: "The appointment of the Society’s auditors is an important one, providing assurance on the Society’s financial accounts and reporting. It follows a thorough procurement process which is directed by the Society’s Audit Committee. This sets out the service and compliance requirements of the Society and ensures robust and transparent procedures throughout the appointment process.

Following a successful tender process ahead of this year’s AGM, it is proposed that Johnston Carmichael be appointed as the Society external auditors, commencing with the audit of 2026/27 accounts."