From the President's Desk: Lessons from a year of defending democracy and justice

My time as President is almost up. One more month to go. To say that the time has flown by would be an understatement.

Knowing that the finish line is so near, I’ve been thinking about some of the highlights and insights from this past year. I began my presidency by suggesting we were in for some significant new beginnings and that has indeed been the case.

That doesn’t mean we’ve taken our eyes off the fundamental things that have always underpinned the work we do, both here at the Law Society and as solicitors in general.

Standing up for the rule of law is obviously one of those. In the past that’s been a relatively easy job, so it is worrying the extent to which it needs to be affirmed and protected in these days of worldwide uncertainty and chaos.

In that context, I am so proud that we along with several other bar associations across Europe joined as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the Washington court proceedings in which the Trump administration are appealing a previous court’s decision that executive orders imposing sanctions on four law firms were illegal.

Democracy requires political difference and disagreement, but it is another thing entirely for those with power to seek to silence or worse still to punish those who hold different views from those who support them.

Another fundamental principle for our profession is access to justice and in particular the right to have legal representation whatever your financial status. As many of you will know, a functioning legal aid system to ensure access to justice has long been a passion of mine.

The progress that’s been made over the past year is worth celebrating even though we’ve still a long way to go. I was heartened by the response of the cross party representatives who attended our election hustings event in early April, demonstrating both a recognition that there’s an issue and a commitment to change should they be elected. Something that’s obviously easier said when you aren’t holding the purse strings.

We’re midway through our new business support roadshows that we’ve launched based on the feedback we received via our recent smaller firms research. The agenda tackles key issues which were highlighted as concerns, namely financial regulation, AML, cyber security, and legal technology. We’ve already had two very successful events in Dumfries and in Perth, with two more coming in Aberdeen on 14 May and Inverness on 15 May. There is still time to register to attend either.

And finally, elections have opened for Law Society Council vacancies. We’re looking for five members from Edinburgh; two from Aberdeen, Banff, Peterhead & Stonehaven; two from Ayr, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright and Stranraer; and two from Airdrie, Hamilton and Lanark. There are also by-elections for one seat for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; one for Dingwall, Dornoch, Elgin, Inverness, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Lochmaddy, Portree, Stornoway, Tain & Wick; one for Campbeltown, Dumbarton, Dunoon, Oban, Rothesay and Fort William; and one from Cupar, Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. Joining Council is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference for our profession and to develop your skills and network. If you’re interested, you can find out more and apply on the website.