Law Society news
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Evidence required to show lockdown hospital discharges were lawful
We have called on the Scottish Government to release data showing the legal basis for moving hospital patients to care homes at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, due to the lack of information in a recent Public Health Scotland report.
Price transparency guidance to come into effect in January 2021
Guidance for Scottish solicitors on publishing pricing aims to help consumers better understand the cost of legal advice and services is due to come into effect in January 2021.
Law Society of Scotland calls for action to reform crofting law
We have published recommendations in relation to the law of crofting and urged the Scottish Government to take prompt action to reform the law.
AML Certificate results 2019
Our Anti-Money Laundering Risk Manager, Fraser Sinclair provides an update on the key insights and analysis from the data you provided in this year's AML Certificate.
Human rights lawyer appointed to Law Society Council
The co-founder of a human rights and equality charity is the first to be appointed to a brand new seat on the Law Society of Scotland Council to represent third sector solicitors. Kirsty Thomson, partner and director of JustRight Scotland, will take up the new role when she joins the Society’s Council next month. Her appointment was confirmed today, Friday 16 October.
Menopause resource launched to support Scottish legal profession
The Law Society of Scotland, in partnership with Peppy Health, has launched a comprehensive menopause support resource, designed to help individuals and firms access the support that they need.
Change of responsibility for intimation of defence petitions
There will be a change in responsibility for intimation of defence petitions to recover sensitive records in sheriff court criminal proceedings from Monday 12 October 2020.
Senior lawyers to Pass the Badge on World Mental Health Day
A group of senior figures from Scotland’s legal profession are to ‘Pass the Badge’ to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October.
Law Society publishes new guide on setting up in-house
The Society has published a helpful new guide on setting up an in-house team for the first time in an organisation
Will Aid 2020
Will Aid is a national will-writing campaign that takes place every November and is designed to enforce the need for a professionally written will, but it needs your help. Andrew Robertson, Managing Director of McClure Solicitors, explains why they take part in the campaign and why you should too.
RBS solicitor named as In-house Rising Star Award Winner 2020
RBS solicitor Marliese Perks has been named Law Society of Scotland In-house Rising Star Award winner for 2020.
Law Society condemns inflammatory language
The Law Society of Scotland has condemned the use of dismissive references to the legal profession as “lefty lawyers."
New and familiar faces returned to the Law Society Council
Two brand new faces are returned to the Law Society of Scotland Council along with a more familiar face, who returns for a second term.
Scottish Government confirm home moves permitted under new restrictions
The Scottish Government has updated its guidance on moving home and confirmed that all home moves will continue to be permitted, provided they can be carried out safely.
Opportunity to support Scotland’s small businesses back to business
We are pleased to invite our members to join and take part in the Recovery Advice for Business scheme by offering free support and advice to help small businesses recover from the impact of Coronavirus.
100 days until the transition period ends
With 100 days to go until the end of the transition period, Michael Barnier, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, warns that ‘Nobody should underestimate the practical, economic and social consequences of a “no deal” scenario."
External wall systems update September 2020
Law Society of Scotland Property Law Committee member, Brian Smith, sits on a Ministerial Working Group set up to consider the issues with External Wall Systems and has written a discussion piece looking at some of the recent developments in this area.
Law Society letter to Justice Committee on post-pandemic courts
The Society's President Amanda Millar has written to the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee on developing solutions for the courts in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Law firms aim to drive diversity in trainee recruitment
Following a successful pilot, Morton Fraser and Dickson Minto have committed to using of the Law Society of Scotland’s contextualised recruitment scheme, in partnership with RARE, in their latest graduate recruitment rounds, helping to drive workplace diversity and social mobility.
Law Society report recommends change for Scottish planning process
Amendments should be made to the Scottish Government Planning Circular 3/2012, to improve the efficiency and transparency of the planning process, according to recommendations made by the Law Society of Scotland.
New guidance on client accounts for banks
The Joint Money Laundering Steering Group has issued new guidance for banks and financial institutions regarding client accounts’. The new guidance will mean that practice units can expect more contact from their client account holder about potential Anti-money Laundering risks.
Nominations open for new ‘third sector’ seat on Law Society Council
Nominations are being invited to four of the Law Society’s governing Council seats, including a new seat to represent the third sector.
Diploma 2020 Q&A published
Following an unprecedented number of applications to the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice this year, the Law Society of Scotland has created a dedicated advice section for students who have not secured a place on the Diploma.
UK Government Economic Crime Levy Consultation
The UK Government is running a consultation on the proposed economic crime levy and we would strongly encourage members with an interest in the proposals, to submit your own responses by the 13 October deadline.