Law Society news
Solicitors protest reform of a system at breaking point
Our President, Ken Dalling, reiterates that the Scottish Government must take action on legal aid.
Paisley Greenock and Kilmarnock by-election to be held for Law Society Council
Nominations are now open for solicitors hoping to join the Law Society of Scotland’s decision-making body, representing the Greenock, Kilmarnock and Paisley constituency. The previous Council member, Waqqas Ashraf, resigned his seat after setting up his own practice in the Glasgow constituency.
Local pupils win opening round of national debating tournament
Pupils from 32 teams from schools across Scotland are through to the second stage of our annual Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament.
Public trust in Scottish solicitors remains high
New figures showing over 90% client satisfaction with Scottish solicitors represent a ‘huge vote of confidence’ in the profession.
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.
Nominations for 2023/24 president elect
Philip Lafferty, Susan Murray and Sheila Webster have been nominated as 2023/24 president elect of the Law Society of Scotland.
Law Society says proposed court rules are premature and lack solid evidence base
The Scottish Civil Justice Committee’s (SCJC) consultation on rules covering the mode of attendance at court hearings is premature and without a solid evidence base to inform the proposed rules, according to our response.
Next solicitor advocate introductory course now available to book
The next introductory course for prospective solicitor advocates, run by the Society of Solicitor Advocates, will take place on Friday, 14 January via Zoom.
Profession holds steady against Covid
The majority of private practice firms in Scotland appear to have overcome the negative economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, our recent survey has found.
Traineeship numbers bounce back from Covid lull
The number of traineeships begun in the last practice year totaled 744, a significant increase on the 434 started in the previous practice year, our latest figures show.
Updated SCTS Court Guidance
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has provided an update on Court Guidance, for the Supreme Courts, Sheriff Courts and Justice of the Peace Courts, effective from Monday 15 November.
Diane McGiffen announced as next CEO
Diane McGiffen will be appointed as our new chief executive. She succeeds Lorna Jack, who will leave after 13 years at the professional body of Scottish solicitors.
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.
Law Society of Scotland calls for an explanation for weekend court incident
Our President, Ken Dalling, calls for an explanation after reports of a solicitor being removed from Edinburgh Sheriff Court
Declining to appear in custody cases update
Our Director of Professional Practice, Fiona Robb clarifies the implications of declining to appear in custody cases with reference to our rules and guidance.
UK law societies host joint conference on climate change and the law, ahead of COP26
High profile speakers will address an in-person and online audience at a conference hosted jointly by all three UK Law Societies to examine the role of the law and lawyers in tackling climate change.
AML annual report 2021
We have updated our AML Supervisory Annual Report building on the interim version published in February 2021.
With a foreword from our CEO, Lorna Jack, the report highlights the work we have undertaken between April 2020 and April 2021 in fulfilling our supervisory obligations as per the requirements of the Money Laundering Regulations 2019.
COP26 legal aid issues are a 'generation in the making'
The Society's President Ken Dalling has met with the Scottish Government's Minister for Community Safety Ash Regan, to discuss legal aid issues surrounding COP26.
AML Certificate results 2020
Our Anti-Money Laundering Risk Manager, Bob Clark provides an update on the key insights and analysis from the data you provided in this year's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Certificate.
St. James’s Place announced as Law Society of Scotland strategic partner
The leading wealth management business St. James’s Place is announced as a new strategic partner for the Society
Napier University student wins essay competition on climate change and the law
Napier University student Lewis Hay wins Law Society competition on climate change and the law
Nationality and Borders Bill creates threat of two-tier asylum system
The Nationality and Borders Bill could result in more unsafe and perilous journeys to the UK and put those who attempt to save the lives of asylum seekers at sea at risk of facing criminal charges for their action.
Digital Evidence Sharing - Update from COPFS
A new way to collect and share digital evidence is planned for the Scottish criminal justice sector. Read the update from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service on how this will affect criminal defence practitioners.