Law Society members approve constitutional changes at AGM

Scottish solicitors approved changes to the Law Society of Scotland’s constitution to ensure it is compliant with the new Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act at its annual general meeting on Thursday, 18 June.

A large majority voted through a series of changes to ensure that the Law Society’s governance framework remains aligned with its statutory obligations, and that the Regulatory Committee operates independently and effectively in exercising the organisation’s regulatory functions, in line with requirements of the 2025 legislation.

Members also passed a resolution introducing changes to the constitution to allow members with less than three years on Council, to stand for election as president. The proposal also included improvements to nomination and voting processes in relation to the presidency.

The Law Society’s annual report and financial statements for 2024/25 were also approved at the meeting, alongside the appointment of new auditors Johnston Carmichael.

In a significant change to the agenda of the AGM this year, proposals for the annual practising certificate fee for 2026/27 and 2027/28 will take place in September 2026 at a special general meeting.  The change will, from 2027, mean members can vote on the annual fee more than a year ahead of implementation, providing for better planning  for the Law Society and its members. 

Members attending the meeting heard from new Law Society President Serena Sutherland, who took up post in May,  while Past President Patricia Thom reflected on her time in office and achievements over the year.

Serena Sutherland, President of the Law Society of Scotland,  said: “Ensuring we can meet new requirements under the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act is essential. The constitutional changes which have been passed at the AGM will ensure we are fully compliant as the Act’s provisions come into effect.

“I’m very pleased that members supported the proposed changes to the constitution in relation to presidential eligibility. These will allow us to remove unnecessary barriers which prevent talented, highly capable members on Council from being able to stand."

Law Society Chief Executive Ben Kemp provided an update on the work of the Society over the 2024/25 reporting period, highlighting growth in the profession to over 14,000 practising solicitors and record numbers of trainees in recent years as indicators of the good health, ambition and optimism for the future that exists within the sector.

He also told the meeting the Society had begun work on its next strategy. He said: “To support and serve a changing profession, it’s also vital that we as an organisation continue to modernise to ensure our ongoing relevance and leadership within the broader legal sector as well as the wider society that we serve.

"We will be encouraging our members and those involved in the sector to share their thoughts and insights on where the Society can add the most value.”