New Law Society committee will focus on international work

The Law Society of Scotland is to establish a new committee to oversee its international work.

The committee will advise on international activities, including the Society’s relations with EU institutions and other bars and law societies around the globe, as well as raising awareness about the increasing importance of international work to the Scottish legal profession.

In addition to guiding the development and implementation of a new international strategy, the committee will also support the Society’s work in relation to trade policy, including responding to consultations, and provide expertise on reflecting the interests of the membership to UK trade negotiators and their teams.

The new committee will also provide guidance for the Society on intervening on international human rights matters or issues related to upholding the rule of law.

Patricia Thom, President of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “There is an increasing focus on the Society’s international work driven by our growing membership outwith Scotland alongside new trade relationships that are being developed across Europe as a result of Brexit, and changes elsewhere around the globe.

“We need to ensure that our members’ interests can be properly represented in relation to trade policy and legislation, in addition to supporting our engagement with our members based around the globe, and with international bodies.”