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Spring celebrations for newly accredited Law Society members
Spring celebrations are in order for our solicitors and paralegals who have received recognition in their chosen area of practice.
Law Society to highlight civil legal aid crisis at Holyrood inquiry
The Law Society of Scotland will ensure a newly launched Holyrood inquiry understands the extent of the crisis in civil legal aid, and the changes required to restore the system.
Celebrations at first banking and finance paralegal accreditation
A senior paralegal in Edinburgh has become the first person to receive the Law Society of Scotland’s new paralegal accreditation in banking and finance.
Online teaching motion decides school debate finalists
A hotly contested debate on the rise of online teaching has sent four schools from across Scotland to the final of this year’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament.
Social media debate decides Donald Dewar semi-finalists
Semi-final teams are preparing for the penultimate stage of this year’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating tournament next week, after debating the merits of social media verification.
Scottish Government’s legal aid plans fail to reflect urgency of crisis
The Law Society of Scotland says newly announced plans for legal aid fail to reflect the urgency and scale of the crisis in access to justice.
The Scottish Government has today released a legal aid discussion paper alongside plans to reduce the administrative burden of legal aid, but has remained silent on the key issue of inadequate fees driving solicitors to exit and putting the system into crisis.
Double solicitor admissions ceremony sets new record
Scotland’s legal sector has set a new record as more than 140 new solicitors were formally welcomed to the profession in central Edinburgh yesterday.
New solicitor advocates introduced to Court
The Law Society of Scotland granted extended rights of audience to 11 new solicitor advocates today, joining the 11 who were introduced last week.
More stars to rise as in-house solicitors’ award expands
The Law Society of Scotland has expanded its prestigious In-house Rising Star Award with a new category to recognise trainees, in addition to spotlighting newly qualified solicitors.
Extended rights of audience granted to 11 new solicitor advocates
The Law Society of Scotland has granted extended rights of audience to 11 new solicitor advocates at a ceremony held at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Friday, 14 February 2025.
AML round up: February 2025
Catch up on all the latest anti-money laundering (AML) updates, news and guidance from the Law Society's AML team.
Law Society celebrates members with professional recognition
Solicitors and paralegals have celebrated the new year with recognition in their chosen area of practice.
Legal sector celebrates new year with newly admitted solicitors
Scotland’s legal sector has made a strong start to 2025, with 103 new solicitors formally welcomed to the profession in central Edinburgh yesterday.
Government amendments to Legal Services Regulation Bill preserve supremacy of the rule of law
Scottish Government proposals for extensive new levels of direct government control and involvement in how Scottish solicitors work are to be removed from the Legal Services Regulation Bill, preserving supremacy of the rule of law,
Scottish agency IT outage resolved for property transactions
An IT outage with a key Scottish Government agency service that caused delays with upcoming property settlements has now been resolved.
Law Society members achieve professional milestones
A select number of the Law Society of Scotland's members have achieved new heights in their careers as they have been accredited in their chosen fields.
Changes to AML Certificate
The 2024 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Certificate will introduce changes aimed at streamlining the process and reducing the administrative burden on legal practitioners.
Trainee numbers show legal sector’s record growth continues
Unprecedented growth for the Scottish legal sector has been maintained for a fourth consecutive year, with 764 new solicitor traineeships commencing in the past 12 months to the end of October 2024.
Law Society’s rise continues in Top 100 Inclusive UK Employers list
The Law Society of Scotland’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has been recognised with an improved ranking in the Top 100 Inclusive UK Employers Index for 2024. The professional body for Scottish solicitors has been ranked 76th in the 2024 list from the National Centre for Diversity, up from 84th place last year.
New research to support future needs of smaller firms
The Law Society of Scotland has commissioned a new research project to ensure it can best support smaller firms and the essential services they provide.
New system to support junior solicitors wins 2024 Innovation Cup
An online system to assist trainees and junior solicitors in drafting legal correspondence has won the Law Society of Scotland’s 2024 Innovation Cup.
The future of zoos decides first round of debating tournament
The first round of a national school debating tournament has kicked off, with students across Scotland debating whether zoos should remain open.
Law Society of Scotland Chief Executive to step down in 2025
Diane McGiffen, our Chief Executive, will step down in April 2025 after over three years in the role. She joined in January 2022, focusing on supporting the solicitor profession and acting in the public interest.
Double admissions ceremony breaks record for new Scottish solicitors
A new record has been set for the number of Scottish solicitors formally admitted to the profession in a single day.