Skills
Great Expectations — Five steps to managing legal client work in a realistic and achievable way
"We have all had those clients – the ones who are on the phone each day (or even several times a day) for an update, demanding you move mountains to achieve their goal"
Solicitors at Breaking Point — How the Scottish legal profession is responding to a mental health crisis
Nearly two in three people working in Scotland’s legal profession have experienced mental health challenges in recent years - Kanika Phillip investigates the response.
Managed legal services — a different type of career in law?
Law firm career ladders can be steep, heady and hugely rewarding. However, the trainee-to-partner journey is not for everyone. Fortunately for lawyers at all stages of their career, other options are available.
Thelma and Louise, risk management and 9 reasons you should put the 'super' into supervision
Matthew Thomson and Anna Forsyth from Lockton discuss supervision from a risk management perspective.
SPONSORED: Edinburgh Law Seminars February 2025
Alan Barr and Sandra Eden’s Estate Planning & Tax: Wills, Trusts & Executries seminar starts soon.
Meet Bilaal Shabbir
Ahsan Mustafa interviewed Bilaal and explored the path taken by a solicitor from a large international firm to Parliament House, and what he learned in practice that has helped him at the bar.
SPONSORED: The Clark Foundation for Legal Education - applications for grant/scholarship 2025
The Clark Foundation for Legal Education, applications now open for grants/scholarships in 2025.
Attracting and retaining talent
When Lynne Macfarlane joined DWF’s insurance team in Scotland in October 2019, she was full of ambition to network with colleagues, build client relationships, and contribute her expertise as a solicitor advocate. However, just five months later the world shifted with the first COVID-19 lockdown.
The risks of poor employee retention
Lockton share their latest risk management article on retention rates following the ‘great resignation’.
How does the workplace impact productivity?
In 2016, the Stoddart Review was the first major analysis of the impact of the workplace on productivity. In the legal industry, where every minute counts, understanding how workplace changes impact productivity and client interactions is crucial.
Introduction to international arbitration
Join the CIArb Scottish Branch for an immersive course on international arbitration, where you’ll explore the core principles of cross-border dispute resolution and how it connects to other global legal processes.
Mark your calendars
The Annual Conference is fast approaching with an engaging agenda. Hear directly from the CPD team about why you should be attending.
Mediation matters in education
The advantages of mediation as a dispute resolution method are well-documented. Have you considered the impact it can have on students? As the use of mediation has increased, so too has the development of alternative dispute resolution degree programmes, as well as individual university modules on the same topic, at both undergraduate and master’s level.
Reverse mentoring raises retention
A concept created in the 1990s that is still used today, with data showing a 30% increase in staff fulfilment when these practices are adopted.
SPONSORED: CPD from Edinburgh Law Seminars
CPD from Edinburgh Law Seminars
Bridging skills, standards, and opportunities
There is a clear desire for higher education providers to engage with employers. So how can employers become more involved? One way is through a university law clinic. These clinics link academic training with practical experience, benefitting institutions and employers, and fundamentally advancing student skills.
Managing partner, managing relationships
We meet Brodies’ new managing partner Stephen Goldie to find out the skills and experiences that are needed to lead a £100m+ law firm.
Do you know a legal pioneer?
As part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, the Society has launched a new accolade designed to honour those who have made significant contributions to Scotland’s legal sector.
The importance of content
On 5th July, the Law Society of Scotland hosted an event on business development and marketing, aimed at helping legal professionals enhance their content strategies: ‘How to Create and Leverage Content’.
Criminal law career appetite remains
The Public Defence Solicitor’s Office has welcomed students to explore the opportunities available to them if they were to consider a career in legally aided criminal defence work.
From in-house trainee to counsel
We share the experience of someone who did just that, the benefits and challenges as well as the core skills developed as a result.
60 seconds with… an AML Risk Manager
Sophie Mcivor sat down with the Law Society’s AML Risk Manager to discuss all things AML (naturally!), plus further education and training opportunities.
ARCHIVE: Endless possibilities
It has been one year since the inaugural Festival of Legal Possibilities. The event highlighted the ever more varied legal career options and called for the legal sector to pick up the pace on diversity.
Will AI displace or empower legal teams?
With AI beginning to impact the more traditional contract management systems, it is argued that these tools help support and improve efficiencies if only they were adopted.