Blogs & opinions
New Trade Sanctions Enforcement: Implications for Business Compliance
Amiqus discusses the UK’s new sanctions enforcement regime, which gives the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) the power to issue significant penalties. It highlights the need for businesses to prioritise sanctions screening and comprehensive risk management, including PEPs and adverse media checks, to ensure compliance and avoid fines.
The importance of an independent legal profession
Former President of the Law Society of Scotland Ken Dalling, who was elected as Head of the UK Delegation to the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe in April this year, considers the importance of an independent legal profession and how separation from the state is intrinsically linked to the health of a democratic society on European Lawyers Day 2024.
How to be a menopause-friendly employer
For World Menopause Day on 18 October, Burness Paull's Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager, Emma Smith, explains what it means to them to be re-accredited as a 'Menopause Friendly' workplace and how every firm can support women through this stage of life.
The Legal Sustainability Alliance – working together to get to net zero faster
Ahead of our workshop with the Legal Sustainability Alliance (LSA), the LSA shares the main functions of the organisation, who it works with and how it can help firms of all sizes be climate conscious.
Law centres: from radical roots to advancing rights and equality
In the Law Society's 75th anniversary year, Amy McGilp, Communication Officer at the Legal Services Agency in Glasgow, explores the history of law centres in Scotland, from their radical roots to their present day achievements in advancing rights and addressing inequality.
Smaller firms – a mighty legal force that’s local
Law Society of Scotland Vice President Pat Thom reflects on her time working for a smaller firm in the Scottish Borders, along with the positives that such businesses bring for clients, solicitors and other staff.
Black History Month 2024: Reclaiming narratives
Lindsay Jack, the Law Society’s Head of Diversity, Careers, and Outreach, considers how best to promote allyship and engage meaningfully with colleagues, clients, friends and others during Black History Month, and beyond.
From nursing to law: How last year’s Paralegal of the Year found their dream job
A year after winning ‘Paralegal of the Year 2023’ at the Herald Scotland Law Awards and taking on the position of Convener of the Accredited Paralegal Committee, Sharon Connolly sits down to share her unlikely entrance into the legal sector and the importance of continuous career development.
The impact of becoming a Mental Health First Aider
After completing the Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training, Gordon Lennox reflects on how it developed his understanding of mental health, the importance of asking questions and how lawyers can adapt their skills in a mental health setting.
75th Conversations: Christine McLintock and Megan Allan
In the last of our series, 75th Anniversary Conversations, past President of the Law Society from 2015-2016, Christine McLintock, and Lawscot Foundation alumnus Megan Allan meet to discuss their paths to success, the creation of the Lawscot Foundation and what they hope for the future of the profession.
Accredited Paralegal roundup: Celebrations, updates and new opportunities
Laura McBain, Member Services Coordinator and Secretary to the Accredited Paralegal Committee, is back with an update on the Paralegal Practice course, important updates to practice competencies and new opportunities for you to get involved with the accreditation.
Building a kinder, accessible legal profession
As we mark the Society's 75th anniversary, Elizabeth Rose, Legal Director and Founder of L&M MediLaw and Scottish Legal Awards Lawyer of the Year 2023, reflects on the evolution of the profession’s approach to inclusivity and client engagement and her innovative approach to setting up and running a trauma-informed and accessible practice.
Sustainability: How your changes can make a difference
In light of sharing their top tips on how to become more climate conscious, Sustainability Committee members Lynsey Whelan, Anne Littlejohn and Peter Brash share how your changes can make a difference.
The Law Society at 75: Tracking the impact of paralegals
In celebration of the Law Society of Scotland’s 75th anniversary we sit down with two members of the Accredited Paralegal Committee, Laura McLaren and Sandra Reid, and Bruce Battersby, solicitor at BTO Solicitors, to track the influence of paralegals over the past 75 years and what they hope to see change going forward.
75th Conversations: John Macmillan and Ben Campbell
In the second instalment of 75th Conversations, Lawscot Foundation student Ben Campbell and Fellow John Macmillan discuss how the legal profession has evolved and their thoughts for the future of the sector.
CPD - from the lecture hall to laptop
Rachel Steer, Senior Manager of our CPD Research Team, considers how training for our members has moved from serving up bacon butties and lectures in conference halls, to delivering online training and specialist certification around the globe, ensuring that the Society's CPD content is dynamic, up-to-date and market leading.
Seven in 10 Wills ignore the issue of digital legacy
We live increasingly digital lives but how many of us have planned a good digital legacy? Seven in 10 of those making a Will leave no instructions about their online assets – or even a list of passwords – when they die. But both solicitors and financial advisers can help change that.
A profession driving change
In this retrospective piece, solicitor Adrian D. Ward MBE, a recognised international expert in adult incapacity law, reflects on the significant developments in legal practice over the years. Adrian discusses how the profession has adapted to societal changes and championing the rights of vulnerable individuals.
Developing resilience for law: An essential skill or an excuse for poor working practices?
Olivia Moore, Careers & Wellbeing Manager at the Law Society of Scotland, explores resilience and how much it's within our own ability to develop, or when it's unduly influenced by structural or cultural barriers at work.
How technology can positively impact risk management
Steven Thomson from Morton Fraser MacRoberts and former winner of the Innovation Cup Competition discusses the changes to this year’s competition and why you should enter.
Reflecting on change - the Society at 75
As we mark the Society's 75th anniversary, our Member Engagement Manager, Sara Czarny, reflects on the enormous changes of the past few years and shares the big ticket issues that will shape the future of the profession.
75th Conversations: Rupa Mooker and Harley Kirk
In our new three-part video series, 75th Conversations, you will hear directly from our Lawscot Foundation students and long-standing members of the profession about their career journeys to date.
A Deep Dive into Deepfakes
Deepfake technology, which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create highly realistic but fake images, audio, and videos, is rapidly emerging as a significant threat in the cyber security landscape. As cyber criminals adopt this technology to exploit vulnerabilities, businesses must understand its implications and strengthen their defences.
A series of firsts: Launching the paralegal practice course
In the final instalment of our three part series on the creation of our Paralegal Practice course with Robert Gordon University, Rachel O’Neill, lecturer and developer of the course, shares how she joined RGU as well as how the first intake of students are getting on.