Law Society news
Continued financial support for Scottish solicitors to support business recovery
Our Council has agreed a proposal, which will be considered at next month's AGM, for the practising certificate fee for all solicitors in 2021/22 to be 10% less than the pre-pandemic amount.
COPFS and Law Society PIDM collaboration
Collaborative work between the COPFS and the Law Society for Scotland has been carried out to further improve the pre-intermediate diet meeting process. Read our update from a recent meeting which brought together prosecutors and defence lawyers and was convened by Sheriff Principal Aisha Anwar.
Nominations open for In-House Rising Star Award 2021
Do you know an up-and-coming in-house legal star? Nominations are now open for the 2021 In-House Rising Star Award.
Specialist AML guidance for Trust & Company Work and Notaries published
The Legal Sector Affinity Group has published further anti-money laundering guidance for specialist areas of legal practice, following its extensive redraft of the main UK AML guidance in January.
Regulatory Committee update
The Society's Regulatory Committee Convener Craig Cathcart provides an update on the work of the committee in 2020 and 2021.
Our Mental Health Awareness Week programme of events
Explore our full programme of events for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, which runs from May 10-14. We are running daily lunchtime sessions on a different theme, from reflecting on what we've learned about wellbeing during the pandemic, to accessing innate resilience and fertility awareness.
Any change of verdicts must be consistent with principles of Scottish justice system
As Scottish Parliament election candidates pledge to review the not proven verdict, Law Society President Amanda Millar warns that principles of Scottish criminal justice system must be maintained.
External walls system update March 2021
Read our latest update on issues relating to External Wall Systems, including the recent report and recommendations from the Scottish Government's Mortgage Lending and Cladding Ministerial Working Group and new guidance from RICS.
Dewar Debate 2021 finalists confirmed
Four teams from schools across Scotland have reached the grand final of our national schools debating tournament, after a nail-biting semi-final that saw the return of the unseen motion.
Law Society Council nomination period opens
From Lerwick to London, Scottish solicitors from across the country are being invited to stand for nomination to the Law Society of Scotland’s Council.
Public Policy highlights – March 2021
Our policy committees analyse and respond to proposed changes in the law. Read our round up of the key pieces of work completed in March.
SLCC budget change must mark start of a change in approach
Law Society President Amanda Millar responds to SLCC announcement of budget and levy for 2021/22.
5% legal aid fee increase is a first step, not a fix
Today (22 March) marks the introduction of a 5% increase in legal aid fees, but Law Society President Amanda Millar warns that this is just the first step on a journey.
Welcome news that weekend trial courts aren't part of September recovery plan
Weekend trial courts are off the cards, but holiday courts will still impact on resilience of profession warns Law Society of Scotland President.
Welcome for Mortgage Lending and Cladding Working Group recommendations
A report published today has recommended a single building assessment programme to carry out safety assessments on high rise buildings and use of public funding towards remediation work.
New two-year strategy set to drive improvement in Scottish legal sector regulation
The Society's Regulatory Committee has published a new two-year strategy which aims to improve regulatory processes, enhance competition in Scotland’s legal sector and ensure robust consumer protections.
Scottish Legal Complaints Commission “costing more for doing less”
We have submitted the Law Society's response to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission's budget and levy proposals for 2021/22.
National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership report published
The report and recommendations set out a statutory framework for human rights, but Scotland's record on human rights should never be taken for granted.
Call for education programme to support hate crime legislation
We have called for an education programme to support proposals to modernise hate crime legislation, which will encourage an inclusive, equal and diverse Scottish society
Statement of solidarity in support of lawyers in Myanmar
We have joined with the law societies of Northern Ireland and Ireland to issue a joint statement of solidarity in support of lawyers in Myanmar being threatened for working to uphold the rule of law.
LGBT+ History Month: Equality for all under the law
In a statement to mark the end of LGBT+ History Month, Law Society President, Amanda Millar confirms the Society's principles for equality for all under the law and our belief in the worth, value and inclusion of all trans people in the legal profession and wider society.
Maintaining respect for the rule of law in public debate
In public debate it is important to continue to respect the rule of law and our independent legal system, says Amanda Millar, President of the Society.
Public Policy highlights - February 2021
The Society’s policy committees analyse and respond to proposed changes in the law. Key pieces of work completed in February are highlighted in our latest update.
Bookings open for solicitor advocate introductory course
Bookings are now open for the introductory course for solicitor advocate applicants that will take place on Friday, 12 March 2021 via Zoom.