Law Society news
Society launches financial benchmarking survey of law firms
The Law Society of Scotland has today, Thursday, 30 March 2017, launched a new, online survey to help solicitors assess their firm’s financial health and how they are performing in the legal market.
Law Society of Scotland highlights priorities for legal profession and EU nationals as Article 50 is triggered
Commenting on the triggering of Article 50 by the UK Prime Minister today, Wednesday, 29 March, Lorna Jack, Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “Leaving the European Union is arguably the biggest constitutional change for the UK since 1945, with today’s triggering of Article 50 marking the start of serious negotiations on the terms of our withdrawal."
Update on personal injury discount
Scottish Ministers have made an order setting the discount rate for personal injury awards at minus 0.75% which comes into effect today, 28 March.
Last few days to nominate someone brilliant for In-house Rising Star Award
Your last chance to nominate someone brilliant for the 2017 In-house Rising Star Award, is fast approaching – final nominations for this prestigious award must be submitted by this Friday, 31 March.
Bullying and harassment blog
Rob Marrs, Head of Education at the Society, looks at the difficult subject of bullying and harassment in legal workplaces.
Sale of Legal Post delivers cash benefits for talented Scottish students
Academically gifted students from less advantaged backgrounds in Scotland are set to benefit from a game-changing quarter of a million pound investment through the Lawscot Foundation.
To in-house or out-house? Part two
In the second part of this series, Vlad Valiente outlines the process involved in restructuring Midlothian Council's legal department following the decision to meet more of its legal needs in-house.
Pupils from four Scottish schools through to final of national debating tournament
Pupils from schools in Dundee, Glasgow and St Andrews have earned their places in the final of the Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament.
Brussels Agenda - March 2017
The latest news from the Law Societies' Brussels Office.
Education on benefits of donating organs needed to boost donation rates
The Society believes legislative change on organ donation and transplants would have to be supported by a major public education campaign to boost donor numbers.
‘In-house rising stars’ chance to shine
If one of your colleagues or contacts is an in-house Scottish solicitor or trainee; or if you work in an in-house legal role, then you might be eligible to nominate or be nominated for the In-house Rising Star Award.
The apprenticeship levy – what does it mean for the profession and alternative routes to qualification?
In the summer of 2016, the UK Government published details on a new apprenticeship levy. This is due to be introduced in April this year (2017) aiming to raise somewhere in the region of £3 billion per year to help the government meet a target of funding 3million apprenticeships by 2020.
'Anger and frustration’ at SLCC budget proposals for 2017-18
Plans to increase the SLCC levy by 12.5% have caused unprecedented 'anger and frustration' within the profession
March 2017 Lawscot News
Read the latest news from the Scottish legal profession in March's Lawscot News
Professional Practice Updates - March 2017
It was reported to the Society that Co-operative Bank no longer accept Powers of Attorney created under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 as amended.
Trainee blog - Hannah Kemp
Hannah Kemp, a trainee at Brodies LLP, obtained her LLB from the University of Edinburgh, having studied at Lund University in Sweden for her third year. Hannah returned home to complete her Diploma at the University of Glasgow and is now in her final seat and due to qualify as a solicitor in July 2017.
NQ blog - March 2017: A rewarding career that's worth pursuing
John Brannigan studied at the University of Glasgow and completed his traineeship at Gallen & Co Solicitors. He now works at Russels Gibson McCaffrey Solicitors in Glasgow, specialising in all criminal and civil litigation matters.
Law reform round up March 2017
Our committees' work in relation to Bills and consultations including driving offences and penalties relating to causing death or serious injury, pension scams and the Commission on Parliamentary Reform.
SCTS proposals could radically reform Scotland’s summary courts
Society comments on plans to reform summary court practice
Returning to uni for the accelerated LLB
Scott King, accelerated LLB student at Glasgow University, explains what to expect on the accelerated LLB and gives advice on how to get through it.
Street Law wins title of Best Training Initiative at European Association Awards
Street Law, an education programme for pupils at Scottish schools in disadvantaged areas, has taken home the title of Best Training Initiative at the prestigious European Association Awards.
To in-house or out-house? Part one
In the first part of a two-part series, Vlad Valiente explains how Midlothian Council weighed up the potential pros and cons of bringing more legal work back in-house.
How dancing will make me a better trainee
Lorna Stephen, a diploma graduate from the University of Edinburgh who will start a traineeship at Standard Life in September 2017, explains how any skill – in her case dancing – can be transferred and applied in a work context.