Looking ahead to the future

In Sheila’s final column as President, she highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion, alongside the ‘incredible work of the Lawscot Foundation’.

Come in number six, your time is up.

When I wrote my first column almost exactly one year ago, I did not think that I’d come to look forward to writing them each month, and be sad today. It has been an amazing privilege to represent this profession for this year and I’ve relished every minute. The column has allowed me to share a little of what I’ve been doing with you, and, I hope, to encourage you all to be the proud Scottish solicitors you should be, to perhaps consider joining a committee or even Council, to look after yourselves and others and to uphold our high standards.

Member forum events

I’ve travelled across Scotland for member forum events as much as my diary has allowed (thank you to Joy Webber at the Society for managing that) and, at the time of writing, have two more in-person events and one online still to attend. I’ve hosted four admission ceremonies and spoken to many of our newly admitted solicitors. I’ve spoken at a matriculation dinner for first year undergraduates at the University of Aberdeen, to those receiving their diplomas at the University of Glasgow, and to those receiving their paralegal qualification at the University of Strathclyde. Each of these events has been special and I have enjoyed attending every single one. Meeting our members (current and future) is, I believe, one of my most important tasks as President. I promised in my first column to try to ensure that we were a Law Society for the whole of Scotland, and I hope you feel I have lived up to that. My little suitcase, now slightly more bashed than a year ago, has done me well in my travels.

Bills and regulatory changes

Work on Bills including the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill and the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill continues. Good progress has been made, but there is, as Past President Amanda Millar likes to say, much still to do, on those and so many other issues facing our profession. I know that our Incoming President Susan Murray, and Vice President Pat Thom, will continue with all our efforts.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

They will continue, too, with our efforts on equality, diversity and inclusion. I’ve been involved in several events promoting the role of women in our profession, and will be involved in another later in the year, celebrating the 75th anniversary of a legal pioneer, Ethel Houston, becoming the first female partner in a Scottish law firm. In our own 75th anniversary year, I’m delighted to mark that milestone. I’ve spoken before about the importance of working to ensure that the women who join our profession stay within it throughout their careers and I firmly intend to continue to do so.  

I particularly valued the opportunity to join Muslim members at Edinburgh Central Mosque during Ramadan, both in my Vice Presidential and Presidential years, to observe evening prayer and to join with them and others at iftar, marking the end of the day’s fasting. That was both an honour and, as we continue to work to ensure the profession looks more like the society we serve, an opportunity to learn more about Muslim teachings. Personally, I’d welcome the opportunity to expand on that learning in all religions and beliefs. 

On the subject of inclusion, I hope to see the continued growth of the Lawscot Foundation and the incredible work it does in supporting talented students from less-advantaged backgrounds. It could, however, do so much more, if only more of our members supported it by regular donations, of whatever size. I make this plea annually, as we launch the Baublefest fundraising campaign each Christmas. I make it, unashamedly, again now. The Foundation has so many generous donors, but I know we can do even more. I remember former Chief Executive Lorna Jack speaking at an annual conference a few years ago, and encouraging everyone present to donate just £10. The difference it would make to those who so deserve our support is immense. Please? I am only too aware of the hard times many of our members face, but can we, in celebration of our 75th anniversary, dig deep and commit to a monthly or even one-off donation?

Thank you

And so to some thanks. I doubt many of you see the enormous amount of work done by the staff in our office at Atria One, but their efforts are huge – we simply could not accomplish all that we do without them. To every one of you, thank you. Your work is hugely appreciated.   

Council members, thanks for all your support this year – you are a great bunch of our members – and to Past Presidents Murray Etherington and Ken Dalling in particular, I don’t know how to say thank you for everything. You made me laugh, cheered me up when things were tough and encouraged my ideas – I am eternally grateful.

Diane, we are lucky to have you as our Chief Executive. Your energy, drive and initiative are enviable and I’ve so enjoyed our work and travels together.

And finally, to my family – you’ve put up with a lot in a difficult year for our family and I’m so very grateful for your support. Thanks, too, for the playlist suggestions! I couldn’t have done this year without you all.

I hope readers have enjoyed my columns and maybe also my rather eclectic Presidential Playlist. I enjoy playing it; it brings back lots of memories, and it therefore does all that I wanted it to do. The final three entries are listed below, each chosen because they mean a lot to the Webster family.

Susan, over to you and all the very best of luck. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Sheila's final songs for the Presidential Playlist are:

• An Ataireachd Ard, Karen Matheson
• Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol
• Going Home, Runrig