Changing perceptions

October, for me, has been all about perception – both my own and other people’s.

The month started with the opening of the legal year in England. It was a great privilege to be at this ceremony, which was attended by people from all over the world. The general perception seems to be that this is an occasion for lawyers to wear fancy dress, as those attending wear formal dress robes. In fact the ceremony, held in Westminster Abbey, has serious historical roots and dates back to the Middle Ages when judges prayed for guidance at the start of the legal term. The procession is spectacular. I have to confess, however, to struggling to keep a straight face when I overheard two senior judges comparing notes about the difficulty of getting the seams on one’s silk stockings straight!

From “men in tights” it was very quickly “men in chains” when I attended the Deacon Convenor’s Dinner at the Trades Hall in Glasgow. The chains of office there were some of the most splendid that I have seen. Had it been a film and screen event the word would be “bling”. The 14 trades guilds are a power for good in Glasgow, administering as they do a substantial amount of money for charities.

You will be aware that the Society, in conjunction with the Equal Opportunities Commission, has carried out research into women in the profession. This is an area where many perceptions are held and there was a need to ascertain whether the perceptions were based on reality or not. There was a mammoth response of 2,299 questionnaires returned, which included over 40% men. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to fill out and return the postal survey to Glasgow Caledonian University, who collated the results announced this month. It is one of the most far-reaching studies into women in the profession and gives the Society and the profession a factual basis from which to work.

The results are enlightening and in some cases, surprising. I learned that the average number of hours worked in a week by the respondents was 42.5 (note to diary: work fewer hours next year). I also learned that 67.2% of solicitors in private practice felt they were striking a reasonable work-life balance. The research showed a profession in good shape generally. However one area of concern is the disparity between the earnings of women and men from five to 25 years qualified. And while it is not for the Society to tell firms how to run their business, the research does give us a clear idea of the work which needs to be done to highlight the issues and to support the profession to make changes where they are needed. I think the research in itself has already achieved awareness and some action.

Perception brings me round again to the Scottish Executive consultation on reforming complaints handling by the Scottish legal profession. The analysis of the responses to the consultation was published on 26 October. It makes fascinating reading. Given the nature of the consultation, it is not a surprise that many of the responses are looking for change – as did our own response. The result is clear – that many respondents, both complainers and solicitors, are looking for fairly radical change. Council had a good debate on the responses and has asked me to liaise with ministers and the Scottish Executive on the best way forward for the profession and the public. I remain of the view that the current system (subject to improvements) is the best system for the public and profession in Scotland, but if the majority decision is that this system should be changed more than we proposed, then I want to make sure that any new system introduced is cost effective, has the confidence of the public and the profession and ends the years of speculation and change in complaints.

And finally… I had an extremely convivial evening in the company of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen. I enjoyed their excellent hospitality in the beautiful surroundings of the Advocates’ Hall. One of my own long held perceptions was substantially changed. There is a generally held view that the people of Aberdeen are careful with their money. Imagine my surprise therefore when the taxi driver who took me to the dinner refused payment when he was a few minutes late – now that’s service for you!