Law Society news
Updated AML Supervisory Annual Report
You can read our AML Supervisory Annual Report for 2022.
Law Society strengthens links with New York State Bar Association
The Society has strengthened its links with lawyers in the US by signing a memorandum of understanding with the New York State Bar Association
Law Society welcomes Bill modernising trusts law
The Law Society of Scotland has welcomed the introduction of a Bill aimed at consolidating and modernising Scottish law around trusts and making limited changes to the law of intestate succession.
Two nominations for Law Society President-elect for 2024/25
Pat Thom and Susan Murray have been nominated as 2024/25 President-elect of the Law Society of Scotland. The Society’s Council members will now vote for their preferred candidate and the result will be announced in December.
Law Society joins Scotland Europa
The Law Society of Scotland has fortified its links with Europe by becoming a member of Scotland Europa, a membership-based organisation that promotes Scotland's interests across European institutes and member states.
Christine McLintock steps down from Law Society Council after 17 years
Law Society of Scotland President Murray Etherington paid tribute to the longest serving member of the current Council and former president, Christine McLintock, who has stepped down after 17 years.
Support and oversight stepped up for solicitor traineeships
The Law Society of Scotland has committed to improved support and oversight of trainee solicitors and training managers.
Ukrainian lawyers congratulated on Human Rights Award
The Law Society of Scotland has congratulated the Ukrainian National Bar Association (UNBA) and Ukrainian lawyer Nadia Volkova on being joint winners of Europe’s leading legal sector human rights award.
Supreme Court judgment on independence referendum bill
Following the Supreme Court judgment on Wednesday, 23 November 2022, that taking forward a Bill providing for a Scottish independence referendum is not within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, the Society's Murray Etherington said that the judgment provided definitive clarification on the law.
Charity reform must go further than Bill proposes
The Law Society of Scotland has praised the introduction of new legislation to better support and regulate the charity sector, but raised concerns it does not go far enough in reforming areas including transparency and oversight.
Law Society set to introduce new AML supervisory attestation process
The AML team is launching a new supervisory attestation process. This will be an ongoing piece of work reaching all practices who may not fall under the scope of our full high-risk AML inspection process.
AML Certificate Results 2021
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 Certificate.
New record set for number of trainee solicitors in Scotland
A new record has been set for the number of trainee solicitors registered in Scotland, with Law Society of Scotland figures showing 788 traineeships began in the 2021-2022 practice year.
Campbell Connon FAQs
Campbell Connon has ceased to practice. A Judicial Factor has been appointed to access all of the files, documentation and the client account and we have put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Rule changes set to bolster complaints process and modernise Accounts Rules
The Society's Regulatory Committee is set to take forward changes to solicitor practice rules following its SGM on 26 October 2022. The changes will further strengthen the sector’s robust standards by bolstering the legal complaints process and modernising Accounts Rules.
New strategy launched for thriving, diverse and sustainable Scots legal sector
The Law Society of Scotland has launched its new five-year strategy, underpinning its commitment to a thriving, diverse and sustainable legal sector to support Scottish communities and businesses.
Legal aid crisis hitting Scotland's most deprived families
New data reveals hundreds of legal aid ‘not-spots’ – deprived communities with no civil legal aid firms.
Law Society Council motion on abuse against solicitors
The Law Society of Scotland's governing Council agreed a motion at its meeting today Friday, 14 October, that any and all forms of abuse against the profession is wholly wrong and should be condemned, and has set out four points of action.
Law Society pays tribute to Council member David Mair
The Society's president Murray Etherington pays tribute to Council member David Mair who passed away recently.
Cashroom Manager Assessment Q&A
Following on from our consultation earlier this year on our proposals to update the Society's Accounts Rules, we have compiled a Q&A in advance of our SGM this month on what the proposed changes, which would see the introduction of a Cashroom Manager Assessment, will mean for cashroom managers at law firms.
Court of Session rules legal professional privilege not overridden by third party complaint
A new and important Court of Session judgment has today reaffirmed the principle of legal privilege between solicitors and their clients.
Scottish Government must avoid delays in moving the Scottish Mental Health Law Review report to the implementation phase
The Law Society of Scotland has congratulated the Scottish Mental Health Law Review on the publication of its final report and urged the Scottish Government to avoid delays in moving to the implementation phase.
Proposed fee increase marks progress but more action needed to resolve legal aid crisis
The Law Society of Scotland has stated that a proposed rise in legal aid fees is a step in the right direction, but further action is urgently needed to resolve the long-term crisis in the sector.
Law Society of Scotland calls for views on principles-based approach to administrative justice
The Law Society of Scotland is calling on the legal profession, stakeholders across the justice system and members of the public for their views on proposals for a principles-based approach to administrative justice in Scotland.