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  4. Leading figures welcome Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers’ Association

Leading figures welcome Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers’ Association

6th July 2017

Leading legal figures have welcomed the launch of a new body for young ethnic minority lawyers.

Officially launched at the Law Society of Scotland in Edinburgh last night (5 July), the Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers’ Association (SEMLA) began as an idea of advocate Usman Tariq. Formed with the support of the Society and the Faculty of Advocates, it aims to help tackle the under-representation of ethnic minority lawyers in many aspects of the Scottish legal profession. The group is also hoping to collect data which will help the profession understand where there is under-representation and how best to tackle it.

The launch event saw the unveiling of the new SEMLA website – www.semla.org.uk – which will provide a portal for lawyers and law students to find out more about the group and its events.

Despite there being no up-to-date records on the numbers of ethnic minority lawyers in Scotland, it is clear according to SEMLA that more lawyers from an ethnic minority are entering the profession. It exists to provide a platform to offer guidance and assistance and to help create positive career opportunities, since many young ethnic minority lawyers and law students in Scotland have no existing ties with the legal profession.

SEMLA was brought to launch by a steering group comprising Mr Tariq, along with Omar Ali, partner, Harper Macleod; Sheekha Saha, solicitor at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Law Society Council member; Imran Bashir, senior procurator fiscal depute and COPFS Equality Ambassador for Race; and Naeema Yaqoob Sajid, partner, Aberdein Considine. 

Mr Tariq commented: "There is under-representation of ethnic minority lawyers in many aspects of the legal profession. However, in recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the need to improve diversity in the profession. The legal profession has to be seen as dynamic and diverse to attract individuals of all backgrounds and to ensure that talented lawyers are not lost to the profession because of a lack of career opportunities. The goodwill and support that SEMLA has received from the Law Society, the Faculty of Advocates, the Crown Office and members of the judiciary demonstrates their commitment to our objectives. We are excited about SEMLA’s future. This is an opportunity to make a real and lasting contribution to the diversity of the profession.”

Welcoming the new association at the launch event, Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC said: "The legal profession has a central role in the provision of legal services and the administration of justice in Scotland. It underpins the rule of law, which is one of the foundations of a just and successful society. Everyone in Scotland accordingly has a stake in Scotland's legal profession. Talented individuals should not face barriers to progress in the profession because of their ethnic background, religious beliefs or other characteristics. The establishment of SEMLA reflects the fact that the Scottish legal profession is more diverse than it has ever been. But there is more to be done; and the practical work which SEMLA intends to undertake will help to ensure that the legal profession and the administration of justice in Scotland reflect the diversity of Scotland's people."

The Lord Advocate was joined by fellow speakers including Graham Matthews, President of the Law Society of Scotland; Gordon Jackson QC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates; Sheriff Aisha Y Anwar; and Professor Lorne Crerar, chairman of law firm Harper Macleod.

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