Blogs & opinions
COP26 and human rights - roundtable round up
In the run up to the Conference of the Parties 26 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), the Society's Working Group on COP26 & Climate Change organised a roundtable event to consider the topic of COP26, climate change and human rights. Alison McNab and Gillian Mawdsley provide a round up from the event.
Journal editorial November 2021
The political choice regarding legal services regulation may ultimately be one of priorities relating to independence and the profession
How to support a struggling trainee
Our Head of Education Rob Marrs offers his top tips and advice on how training supervisors can support a trainee who is struggling, prevent the situation from deteriorating (or even happening in the first place) and help them on their way to qualification.
Finding your reason through decolonising the legal curriculum
To round off Black History Month 2021, University of Aberdeen law lecturers Dr Eddy Wifa and Dr Titilayo Adebola reflect on the need to decolonise the legal curriculum.
Why I work flexibly: Beverley Wood
For our series on flexible working, Beverley Wood, a partner with Morton Fraser LLP, explains how flexible working has developed through her career and the opportunities it can bring for both employers and employees.
Why I work flexibly: Kevin Clancy
For our series focusing on flexible working, Kevin Clancy, a partner at Shepherd and Wedderburn, explains how flexible working enables him to combine being a solicitor and a FIFA international football referee.
The Scotland Act 1998 and the Supreme Court - what happened?
Michael Clancy, our Director of Law Reform, sets out the considerations that led to two Scottish bills being referred to the Supreme Court and the subsequent sections that the Supreme Court highlighted as part of its ruling.
COP26 and climate change student competition - winning essay
Read the winning entry to our COP26 and climate change student competition from Lewis Hay at Napier University
Digitalisation and renewable energies
Angela Daly, a member of the Society's Technology Law and Practice Committee and the COP26 Climate Change Working Group, writes with her research team about the role of digitalisation in ensuring the safety and sustainability of renewable energy systems.
Why I work flexibly: Mimi Stewart
As part of our series on flexible working, Mimi Stewart, a legal director at Morton Fraser LLP, explains why self discipline, responsibility and being reminded "you don't work on Fridays" helps her to manage her work-life balance.
Journal editorial October 2021
Legal rights and climate change are intimately interlinked, and lawyers can expect to be increasingly called on to advise on related matters
Planning For Net-Zero
Sarah Baillie, a partner at Addleshaw Goddard, writes about the key role of the planning system in meeting net-zero targets in Scotland.
Why I work flexibly: John Grady
In the second in our series looking at flexible working, John Grady, a partner in Shepherd and Wedderburn’s regulation and markets team, explains why working flexibly is about much more than childcare and the positive influence it's had on his working life.
Why I work flexibly: Lindsey Cartwright
In the first of our series of blogs focusing on flexible working, Lindsey Cartwright, a partner with Morton Fraser and Accredited Specialist in Employment Law, shares her reasons for working flexibly and how it can work for everyone.
Law fairs: Our top dos and don'ts
With law fair season upon us, our Careers and Outreach Coordinator Georgia Turnbull offers her top tips on how to get the most out of them.
Becoming a climate change lawyer
Alasdair Cameron is a recent graduate from Edinburgh University's Global Environmental and Climate Change Legal Masters Course and now works at the Law Society of England & Wales as their first Climate Change Resource Adviser within their Policy Team. In his blog, Alasdair discusses his academic trajectory as a recent law graduate entering the field of climate change policy.
Cop26: Protest, policing and the law
Following our conference on Policing operations and COP26, our Policy Executive Gillian Mawdsley blogs about some of the issues to consider and highlights some cases arising from individuals making a protest.
Journal editorial September 2021
The draft rules for holding civil court hearings remotely go further than may feel comfortable with – is there a justification?
Lockdown lawyer returning to the office
Melissa Laurie, newly qualified solicitor in the TMIC team at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang, reflects on her experience of returning to the office.
Terminating training contracts: myth v reality
What happens in the rare occurrences when traineeships go wrong and employers or trainees seek to end the training contract early? Our Head of Education Rob Marrs explains what's involved in the process, why it might (and might not) happen and dispels some common myths.
Journal editorial August 2021
Plans to cut criminal case backlogs need proper consultation with defence lawyers – and a drive to make best use of their time
How trainees can benefit your business
Ally Thomson, Director of Hey Legal, the training and resources platform for the Scottish legal community, examines the many benefits that trainees can bring to a firm or organisation and its employees.
Volunteering as a climate change researcher
Claire McIntyre, a part-time LLB student with the Open University, talks about her experience of volunteering with the university and Environmental Law Foundation as part of a climate change research project.
Journal editorial July 2021
For its positive, dynamic vibe of today, the Society has much to thank Lorna Jack for