Member services committees

• To set, form and guide the policy and actions of the Law Society of Scotland in relation to equality and diversity.
• To offer guidance and support to the Society and the head of diversity.
• To offer guidance on specific issues to the Council and committees of the Society, when requested to do so.
• To identify key priorities and key risks for the Society in relation to equality and diversity.
• To provide a forum for debate and best practice on issues of equality and diversity.

• Advise solicitors on all professional practice and conduct matters, encouraging progressive working methods in the process, so that the profession's standing as advisers to the public may be enhanced.
• Keep under review existing rules and guidelines to consider whether they are still relevant in the light of current conditions.
• Identify issues which may need to be addressed by new rules or guidelines and consult with the profession on those.
• Issue new practice guidelines as required.

The aim of the Committee is to oversee the development and implementation of the Society’s strategic objectives as they relate to sustainability matters for the profession and legal sector. The committee will do this by:

• Considering the pillars of sustainability (environmental/economic/social) and identifying the areas of priority for work, with an anticipated initial focus on the climate crisis.
• Showing leadership to the profession and setting the Society’s direction in relation to sustainability, including the Lawscot Sustainability programme.
• Guiding the implementation of the Society’s strategy and policies by the creation of an action plan ensuring this is aligned to the Society’s annual plan and allocation of resources.
• Offering guidance and support to the executive.
• Offering guidance on specific issues to Council and Committees of the Society.
• Identifying key priorities and key risks for the Society in relation to sustainability, and report on these to the Board.
• Providing a forum for debate and good practice on issues of sustainability.
• Providing a voice for the Society’s work in the area of sustainability.
• Supporting the Society’s executive in the delivery of relevant areas of work, including the Lawscot Sustainability programme.
• Ensuring that it has an awareness of issues around sustainability and an understanding of how these matters relate to the profession.