Up for the challenge

Quality assurance

The debate and decision on alternative business structures will be a key part of the Annual General Meeting on 22 May. Much has been said on the options for reforming legal services, and many of these views are reflected in the responses to the consultation and in the policy paper which was published at the end of April. Now members of the profession have another opportunity to contribute directly to the discussion, and I would urge all those with an interest to come to the AGM and make their views known. The importance of this debate for legal services, today and in the future, should not be underestimated.

The Society’s focus has been to ensure that the quality of legal services, and the integrity of the solicitors’ profession, are maintained regardless of the course of action taken. The profession has risen to the government’s challenge to determine how legal services should be delivered in Scotland and in so doing determine our future as a profession.

Standards unveiled

The delivery of clearer standards for the profession is another area where the Society is making progress. The focus has been on simplifying the existing standards rather than setting new ones. A reference group of non-lawyers continues to help the Society draft standards that are clear for clients as well as solicitors. The standards project has now reached the public consultation stage and I hope it will generate substantial feedback.

Future present

In considering both ABSs and standards, the Society is keen to scan the legal horizon and develop policy that will meet the needs of solicitors and their clients well into the 21st century. We hope to develop that forward thinking further at the Society’s conference, the day after the AGM. The theme of the event is “The Legal Profession in Five Years’ Time”. With the prominent legal commentator, Richard Susskind, and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill as speakers, the debate on our future will continue and should be lively.

Paralegals on board

Paralegals already make a vital contribution to the provision of high quality legal services. Recognising their professionalism and creating a formal system of regulation has been under discussion for some time. The agreement to forge ahead with the introduction of a new “Law Society of Scotland Registered Paralegal” status is therefore a welcome step forward.

The principle behind this move was backed unanimously at last month’s Scottish Paralegal Association AGM and subsequently also endorsed by the Society. Work on the detailed arrangements will now begin, but I am sure that the introduction of a badge of quality will benefit paralegals, solicitors and clients. It is also another example of the changing role of the Society.

Beyond our shores

I was reminded that profound change is taking place in many places beyond our borders and shores at the annual conferences of the law societies of Ireland and Northern Ireland, in Budapest and Berlin respectively. Both were important events which gave delegates an opportunity to consider a range of key issues, with the Budapest conference including an interesting contribution from John Bruton, the former Taoiseach and current EU Ambassador to Washington. He spoke of next month’s Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and the important implications of that vote on the rest of the EU. There is a great responsibility on voters because the treaty cannot come into force if it is not ratified by the referendum. But it is a responsibility that must be confronted.

The decision of the Irish electorate on the treaty is of an altogether different magnitude to the issues facing the Society and the profession. However, we share the certainty that our actions will impact on many others beside ourselves. It is one of many reasons why we must consider carefully the choices that we make.