Tributes paid to former Law Society secretary Kenneth Pritchard

The Law Society of Scotland has paid tribute to its longstanding former Secretary, Kenneth Pritchard OBE, who has died at the age of 91.

Mr Pritchard became just the Society’s second secretary when he was appointed in 1976, and held the position for more than 20 years, until 1997. The role is equivalent to that of the Society’s Chief Executive Officer today.

His contribution to the Society was recognised with Honorary Membership in 1997, with achievements during his tenure including the passage of the Solicitors Scotland Act 1980 and the introduction of compulsory professional indemnity insurance.

Law Society of Scotland President Susan Murray said: “I am deeply saddened to hear today of the passing of Kenneth Pritchard. On behalf of the Society, I offer my sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who knew him in his Society role.

“During his career, Mr Pritchard made an enormous contribution not only to the Law Society, but also to the wider legal profession in Scotland, as both a Solicitor and a part-time Sheriff.

“The period from 1976 until 1997 was a time of profound change for Scotland’s legal sector. The makeup of the profession, how it was regulated and the public’s expectations of lawyers all changed significantly during the period of Mr Pritchard’s leadership of the Society .”

Mr Pritchard was born into a legal family and raised in Dundee, studying law at St Andrew’s University before being admitted as a solicitor in 1955.

He wrote for the Journal in 2019: “My life as solicitor in Scotland has been full, in the most part enjoyable but above all very satisfying. To be appointed an Honorary Member of the Society in 1997 was for me the greatest privilege.”