Law Society news
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Law Society reminds MSPs of duty to judicial independence
Law Society of Scotland President Susan Murray has written to remind Members of the Scottish Parliament of their moral and legal obligation to uphold the independence of the judiciary.
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.
Rule of law must underpin UK Government’s legislative agenda
The extensive legislative agenda outlined in the King's speech must serve to strengthen the rule of law and be underpinned by access to justice, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
AML regulations need greater clarity for legal sector
Money Laundering Regulations need greater clarity for the legal sector and a re-focus on key ways to mitigate underlying risk in order to strengthen the UK’s anti-money laundering (AML) system, we have said in response to government proposals.
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.
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.
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.
MSPs warned of unacceptable danger posed by juryless rape trials
Law Society President Sheila Webster has appeared before the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee to provide evidence on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, alongside the Society’s Head of Research Alan McCreadie.
Survey shows mental health issues widespread in legal profession
Results from our Profile of the Profession research suggest that nearly two out of three Scottish legal professionals have experienced mental health issues in the past five years, underlining the importance of our sector-wide focus on wellbeing.
New Bill must not risk integrity of Scotland’s criminal justice system
The Law Society of Scotland has warned that key parts of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill could seriously undermine the integrity of Scotland’s criminal justice system.
Legal aid left in the dark despite welcome focus on justice sector
The Law Society of Scotland says the Scottish Government is right to focus on the justice sector in its 2023-24 Programme for Government, but is deeply concerned that legal aid has again been ignored.
Practice update: Mental Welfare Commission report
The Mental Welfare Commission has published a report regarding the circumstances leading up to the untimely death of a vulnerable person with learning disabilities and physical ill health. This is an opportunity of those who work in this area of law to familiarise themselves with the relevant guidance.
ICAS and the Law Society of Scotland urge proactive reform from new Tax Advisory Group
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and the Law Society of Scotland have urged the Scottish Government’s new Tax Advisory Group to pursue a proactive reform agenda.
Diversity data 2022/23 published
The Law Society of Scotland has published its latest diversity data, collected every two years as part of the annual practising certificate renewal process and offering a key insight into the make-up of today’s Scottish legal profession.
Moveable Transactions Bill: Get involved
The Moveable Transactions Bill seeks to modernise and reform Scots Law in relation to security over and assignation of moveable property. Registers of Scotland are inviting members of the legal profession to get involved in user testing of the related registers.
Criminal justice reform must not undermine the right to a fair trial
Proposals to reform Scotland's criminal justice system must not undermine the fundamental right to a fair trial, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
Profile of the Profession 2023 launches
The Law Society of Scotland has today, 29 March, launched the Profile of the Profession, its major census of the Scottish legal profession.
Law Society congratulates Humza Yousaf on his appointment as First Minister
The Law Society of Scotland congratulates Humza Yousaf on his appointment as the First Minister of Scotland.
Law Society of Scotland challenges progress of Illegal Migration Bill to second reading
The Law Society of Scotland has raised concerns that the UK Government is pressing ahead with legislation which may not be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, potentially contravening UK law and the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.
Annual members survey launch
The Law Society of Scotland’s annual members survey aims to provide a better understanding of members current views on a wide range of topics, including where they believe the focus of the Society’s work should be.
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.
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.