Roadshows bring in hundreds

The Law Society of Scotland took to the road in November with a series of “meet the Society” events, each offering members the chance to meet office bearers and staff and be updated on the Society’s work.

Over 400 members attended the roadshows, which were held in Edinburgh, Dundee, Dumfries, Inverness and Aberdeen before concluding in Glasgow. Each evening included a packed agenda where the Society President, Vice President and members of the executive at Drumsheugh Gardens provided an update on work at the Society.

The events included a presentation on the new Legal Services Act and the ongoing work to prepare the Society ahead of its application to become an approved regulator of the new legal services providers. Deputy Chief Executive Henry Robson spoke of the project to reform the Society’s constitution. Director of Regulation Philip Yelland gave an update on the consolidation of the practice rules and the changes to the accounts rules, on which a formal consultation is taking place over the next month. The Education and Training team presented changes to the route to qualification and the recently launched Registered Paralegal Scheme. Finally, Director of Representation Neil Stevenson spoke more generally about the work of the Society, highlighting issues such as Cadder, the LBG conveyancing panel and the Gill review as examples of the Society acting to represent members’ interests.

President Jamie Millar said:“It has been great to get around Scotland, speaking to members and listening to their views. Following the success of our ABS roadshows earlier in the year, we wanted to get back out and engage with members face to face. The fact so many members gave up their evenings to hear what the Society is doing on their behalf was very encouraging and I want to thank the hundreds who came along and participated.

“The online feedback received following the events has been very positive and we are now looking at making these annual events. In the meantime, we are offering local faculties the opportunity of shorter presentations that update their local members on what the Society is doing on their behalf.”

The Dundee roadshow event was filmed and the content will soon appear on the Society’s website. If you were not able to make your local roadshow event but want to hear what was presented, you can visit www.lawscot.org.uk/roadshow.