Solicitors approve continued financial support for profession

Scottish solicitors have voted this evening to approve a practising certificate fee for 2021-22 of 10% less than the pre-pandemic cost in 2019-20.

The proposal was put forward by the Law Society’s Council in April and is the second phase of a package of financial support announced in 2020, worth a total of £2.2 million to the profession. It was agreed at the Law Society’s annual general meeting, held virtually for only the second time in its history due to the ongoing Coronavirus restrictions.

Amanda Millar, President of the Law Society said: “I am pleased that our members have approved the practising certificate fee as proposed, and that we are able to keep the fees below the pre-pandemic rate for a second year running to help Scottish solicitors and their businesses on the road to recovery.

“We are committed to supporting the legal sector as it recovers from the last 18 months, and this proposal will allow us to do so financially whilst at the same time delivering on our two-year strategy to lead legal excellence through the pandemic and beyond.”

Members also approved the Society’s financial statements and annual report for 2019-20, and approved the re-appointment of BDO as auditors for 2020-21.

There were also three further constitutional resolutions approved by solicitors. They included changing to gender-neutral terms throughout the Law Society’s constitution, bringing it line with the Society’s work on inclusion, equality and diversity.

Solicitors also approved expanding the definition of the current England and Wales constituency to include Scottish solicitors working in Northern Ireland, who were previously considered to be represented by the co-opted Council member representing international solicitors.

The meeting also saw retired Scottish solicitor Colin Cameron awarded with lifetime honorary membership of the Society.