Law Society news
June 2017 Lawscot News
Our newsletter, Lawscot News, is full of the latest news and views from the Scottish legal profession.
Law reform round up June 2017
The Society’s committees have been working on a number of Scottish Parliament and UK Parliamentary Bills and consultations including the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill, the Great Repeal Bill White Paper and the beneficial ownership register.
Wanted! Your views on our new app
We are looking for solicitors, paralegals and trainees to take part in a one-hour focus group in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Join our new lawyers reference group
Applications are still open for anyone wanting to join our new lawyers reference group! The group meets bi-annually in Edinburgh to discuss issues affecting new lawyers and contribute to the Law Society's strategy in related areas.
Got a passion for the profession?
As this blog goes live there are less than 24 hours until voting for the general election opens.
Find a Solicitor upgrade
We’re upgrading the Find a Solicitor tool on our website to help people looking for a solicitor access accurate, up to date information on every practising Scottish solicitor and their firm.
Urgent investment needed to secure long-term future of legal aid
The Law Society of Scotland has called for increased investment, less bureaucracy and better use of technology to ensure the long-term sustainability of legal aid.
Hate crime video wins student competition
This year’s annual student competition run by the Law Society in partnership with the Scottish Parliament took a step away from the traditional essay format and invited students to produce either a blog or a video.
The Diploma - your questions answered
Each year, we survey our outgoing Diploma students to gather information on a range of topics including where they studied, whether they have secured traineeships, career aspirations and what careers support they have received during university.
Life on the accelerated LLB
Lara Pedreschi is a first-year accelerated LLB student at the University of Edinburgh, having previously undertaken a degree in history. Lara's goal is to qualify and practise as a solicitor in Scotland.
Are you managing your time effectively?
David Bryson, Senior Legal Counsel at Baillie Gifford & Co and co-Vice Convener of the In-house Lawyers Committee, provides some time management tips to help you get the most out of your day.
Professional Practice Updates - June 2017
Updates on Revenue Scotland’s administrative processes for penalty and pre-penalty notification letters, updates to the CML Handbook in Scotland and Registers of Scotland Digital Discharge Service.
Trainee blog - Letitia Longworth
Letitia Longworth is a second-year trainee with Brodies LLP, working with the Commercial Litigation team in Edinburgh. Originally from York, Letitia obtained her first degree in English from the University of St Andrews, and her graduate LLB and Diploma from the University of Edinburgh.
Smishing fraud alert - 27 May 2017
Smishing – the term used for SMS phishing – is an activity which enables criminals to steal victims’ money or identity, or both, as a result of a response to a text message.
Graham Matthews takes up reins as Law Society President
North-east solicitor Graham Matthews has taken up the role of President of the Law Society of Scotland today, Friday 26 May.
Adrian Ward honoured and vote for PC freeze at AGM
The solicitor credited with pioneering much of Scotland’s modern law on incapacity and mental disabilities has been awarded honorary life membership of the Law Society of Scotland.
Brussels Agenda - May 2017
Read the May edition, for all the latest EU developments.
Law Society Council election results
Six new members join one familiar face on the Law Society of Scotland Council as representatives for two the constituencies of Aberdeen, Banff, Peterhead and Stonehaven and Edinburgh.
Scammers using WannaCry attack to lure victims - 23 May 2017
Action Fraud has received the first reports of tech-support scammers claiming to be from Microsoft who are taking advantage of the global WannaCry ransomware attack.
Increasing fraudulent bank calls to law firms - 23 May 2017
Over the last week, we have been receiving multiple calls or emails every day about attempted fraud attacks on client accounts.
Fraudsters target conveyancing firms on busy days - 19 May 2017
The Lloyds Banking Group professional practices team has warned conveyancing firms to be aware of fraudsters targeting them at busy times for completions.
First Minister and leading legal figures back LGBT+ workplace equality campaign
A campaign to promote LGBT+ equality in the workplace is being launched by the Law Society of Scotland and The Glass Network today, Thursday, 18 May.
WannaCry ransomware cyber attacks - 17 May 2017
Following the WannaCry attacks on Friday 12 May 2017, the Scottish Business Resilience centre (SBRC) has published useful guidance for businesses.
Do you know how much is enough to retire?
Mike Wardlaw, a Chartered Financial Planner with Tilney in Scotland highlights the importance of financial planning for business owners.