Law Society news
Newest legal technology specialist accredited by the Law Society
Legal technology specialist Andre Boyle has been awarded Accredited Legal Technologist status by the Law Society of Scotland.
Update on civil business
Our chief executive, Lorna Jack, has now written to the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service with feedback on their urgent civil business protocol gathered from members of our Civil Justice Committee.
Jury trials should continue with safety measures in place
Feedback from a working group led by the Law Society has been submitted to the Scottish Government in response to their discussion paper on options for criminal jury trials during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Preventing money laundering during Covid-19
The UK Legal Sector Affinity Group has published an advisory note for legal practitioners to prevent money laundering or terrorist financing going through law firms during the Covid-19 crisis.
Welcome for civil business progress
President John Mulholland has welcomed the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service's invitation for the Law Society to comment on a protocol for civil business during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Opportunities now open to join Law Society Council
The annual elections to the Law Society’s Council are to go ahead, and Scottish solicitors across the country are being invited to stand for nomination. There are eleven seats available across four constituencies.
UK Law Societies make joint approach to UK Chancellor on Covid-19
The Society has joined with the Law Society of England and Wales and the Law Society of Northern Ireland to make a unified and direct approach to the UK Chancellor.
Could you benefit from our mentoring programme?
During the the coronavirus outbreak support and advice can even more important and appreciated. We are encouraging our members to get involved in our mentoring programme as a mentor or a mentee.
Scottish business community calls for clarity, consistency and cooperation in Covid-19 response
The Society has joined a number of organisations within Scotland's business community to call for clarity, consistency and cooperation in Covid-19 response.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month analysing and responding to proposed changes in the law to positively influence the creation of a fairer and more just society.
Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill
The case for allowing the most serious criminal trials to be heard without a jury has not yet been made, warns the Law Society of Scotland commenting on the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill. This page has been updated to welcome the news that the Scottish Government will withdraw this element of the Bill.
Guidance to enable RoS interim measures
UK Finance has confirmed that most major lenders are in agreement with Law Society guidance in support of RoS interim measures to allow some urgent transactions to settle following the closure of the Applications Record of the Land Register of Scotland.
Statement on efforts to produce guidance for property sales
Guidance has now been agreed and published to enable interim measures introduced by Registers of Scotland to allow some urgent property transactions to settle this week. Ahead of that guidance Law Society President John Mulholland talked about the work which went into preparing it.
Stakeholder talks following suspension of the Applications Record
Following the Prime Minister's statement on Monday 23, Registers of Scotland suspended the Applications Record of the Land Register which means that they are no longer accepting applications for registration of titles. The Law Society is in talks with RoS to scope out possible ways forward.
Faculty ruling does not change solicitor obligations
Our comment following the publication of a Dean's Ruling allowing Faculty members to appear in criminal matters, short of trial, without the instructing solicitor.
Law Society responds to CMA report on legal services in Scotland
The Society responds to the Competition and Markets Authority report on legal services in Scotland
Homeworking hacks: our starter for 10
What do you need to think about as a colleague, manager or leader to help manage stress, increase mood and motivation when you’re working from home? Here's our starter for 10.
Lexfactor postponed
In light of current circumstances, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Lexfactor. Lorna Jack, chief executive explains.
Philip Rodney introduces Argyll Cycle
Philip Rodney will take to the stage this Thursday, in his latest role as Lexfactor Master of Ceremonies. In the run up to the event, Philip interviews the first (in alphabetical order only) Lexfactor band, Argyll Cycle.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month analysing and responding to proposed changes in the law to positively influence the creation of a fairer and more just society.
Collaboration with ICO set to benefit legal tech sector
Scotland’s legal tech sector is set to benefit from support from the Information Commissioner Office in developing innovative solutions to ensure GDPR compliance.
International Women's Day 2020
For International Women's Day 2020, we asked some of our members to tell us about the women in law who have inspired them during their career.
Face the future for the next 100 years of women in law
Members of the Scottish legal community are invited to face the future and have their pictures taken as part of a global photography project showcasing the future of women in law.
The photo shoot will be held between 11am and 3pm on Friday 6 March at the Law Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh office in the run up to International Women’s Day .