Law Society news
Recommended pay for trainees rises as inflation pressures persist
The Law Society of Scotland has increased its recommended minimum pay rates for trainee solicitors, in recognition of persistent inflation and cost-of-living pressures.
AML thematic review of Suspicious Activity Reports
Our anti-money laundering (AML) team will launch its next thematic review this month, examining suspicious activity reports (SARs).
Ken Dalling elected as Head of the UK Delegation to the CCBE
Ken Dalling former president of the Law Society of Scotland has been elected to serve as the new Head of the UK Delegation to the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE).
Court opinion emphasises need to comply on complaints
Court opinion published today, 30 April, emphasises need to comply on complaints
Lack of progress leads Law Society to withdraw from legal aid talks
The Law Society is to withdraw from discussions on the creation of a review mechanism for legal aid fees, stating it had ‘lost confidence’ in the Scottish Government project following a lack of progress in two years.
Clarity needed on proposed law to protect neurodivergent people
The Law Society of Scotland has called for greater clarity on the aims of new legislation to protect neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities.
Spring celebrations for new solicitors with admissions ceremony
More than 50 new Scottish solicitors have been formally welcomed to the profession at an admissions ceremony in Edinburgh.
Tribute to Sheriff Considine
The Law Society's President Sheila Webster pays tribute to Sheriff Considine
Time to spotlight Scotland's in-house rising stars as 2024 award launches
The Law Society of Scotland is looking to spotlight Scotland’s newest in-house talent as they launch 2024’s In-House Rising Star award.
AML round up: April 2024
Our round up of all the latest important anti-money laundering news and developments to be aware of.
New Scottish Law Commissioner
The President of the Law Society of Scotland has congratulated Ann Stewart on her appointment to the Scottish Law Commission.
Michael Clancy awarded RSE fellowship
Law Society of Scotland Director of Law Reform, Michael Clancy OBE WS, has been honoured as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Proposed conversion practices legislation ‘is too broad’
Proposed legislation to prohibit conversion practices in Scotland may criminalise legitimate behaviour unless a more precise approach is taken, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
Law Society seeks nominations for new Council members
Nominations are now open to join the Law Society of Scotland’s decision-making body to represent solicitors across the UK.
MSP’s report shows juryless rape trials plan divisive and flawed
A parliamentary report shows the Scottish Government’s plans for juryless rapes trials are divisive and flawed, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
New solicitor advocates granted extended rights of audience
The Law Society of Scotland granted extended rights of audience to two new solicitor advocates at a ceremony held at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Monday 25 March.
Employment tribunal fees will cause access to justice issues
Reintroduction of fees in Employment Tribunals will cause unacceptable access to justice issues for those most in need of free legal protections.
National Crime Agency to create law sector SARs forum
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is to create a legal sector suspicious activity reporting working group to help further engagement from legal professionals across the UK.
SLCC focus on core duties welcomed, but efficiencies must be delivered
The Law Society has urged the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to deliver efficiencies to minimise cost increases on solicitors in its response to the organisation’s draft budget and operating plan for 2024-25.
Judicial factors reform a step forward but refinement still needed
New legislation to reform judicial factors is a step in the right direction but could be further improved to ensure clarity, accessibility and efficiency, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
Legal sector welcomes 64 solicitors in 2024’s first admissions ceremony
Sixty-four solicitors have been formally welcomed to the profession, in the Law Society of Scotland’s first admissions ceremony of 2024.
Law Society hosts roundtable to discuss Scottish criminal justice reform bill
We hosted a roundtable of key stakeholders to discuss the Scottish Government’s Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill on Friday, 8 March 2024. Attendees included solicitors and advocates along with MSPs, academics, and victims’, women’s and human rights groups.
Survey confirms solicitors’ alarm at Scottish Government’s legal regulation plans
Our latest annual members survey has confirmed the depth of concern at the Scottish Government’s proposal to give itself powers to control the regulation of the legal sector.
New logo reflects modern, dynamic, inclusive and sustainable legal sector
The Law Society of Scotland has unveiled a new logo reflecting its central role in Scotland’s modern, dynamic, inclusive and sustainable legal sector.