President's column

(I’ve had) the time of my life

My lovely niece, Caitlin McLintock, is a talented artist, currently studying illustration at the University of Falmouth. Watching her working contentedly on a series of cartoon strips (click here to see my favourite), I thought, as I often have, how wonderful it must be for an artist or musician to spend every day doing the thing that they love. And then I thought back over my career, and the last year in particular, and I realised that, actually, for me the law and the Scottish legal profession have been my art and my passion. I know, some of you will now be doing the equivalent of shouting abuse at the TV – but it’s my last article as President so I crave your indulgence! I’m kind of hoping that some of you are singing along with me in the style of Dirty Dancing.

It has been a wonderful, challenging and productive year. Your Society has launched a new ambitious strategy focused on excellence and continuous improvement. We have moved into new premises, which reflect a modern, adaptable and successful Scottish legal profession and will help the Society better serve its members and the public interest. We are working to procure a new legislative framework to ensure that the Society has the flexibility to embrace change and address emerging risks and opportunities. We have seen the profession become majority female for the first time, and announced news of our exciting Lawscot Foundation, which will be launched soon to help those who have the talent to become lawyers but struggle with the financial barrier of the route to qualification.

From a personal perspective there have been many highlights. It was a thrill to witness the installations of our new Lord President and Lord Justice Clerk, and always a delight to take part in admission ceremonies and the induction of new solicitor advocates. I have had the privilege of speaking at the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association annual conferences, delivered the annual lecture of the Aberdeen Law Project, and chaired a very lively debate in London on the EU referendum with a panel made up of Ken Clarke QC, Suzanne Evans, John Edwards and Brian Monteith. I had the honour to welcome Lord Hodge, Professor Sir Jeffrey Jowell, Karl Chapman and Rasmus Ankersen as keynote speakers at our excellent annual conference last October, and really enjoyed speaking at our Annual Dinner where the fabulous John Lloyd was our highly entertaining guest speaker.

Travelling the country on faculty visits was a particular pleasure, as was the speed-dating event between members of the Sole Practitioners Group and Diploma graduates. It has also been satisfying to see an increase in the number of solicitors standing for Council seats (including as new lawyers’ representative, which attracted 21 talented applicants), the number of participants in our big firm meetings continuing to grow, and to welcome the In-house Lawyers’ Committee into the Society fold.

Eighty-eight and moving forward

There is perhaps one occasion that sums it all up for me. Following a faculty meeting in Dumbarton in March, Eilidh and I had the pleasure of meeting Douglas Dalgleish. Douglas was born in December 1927 and admitted as a Scottish solicitor on 21 March 1956. At 88 he is our oldest practising member. He had come along that day because he was very keen to get his smartcard. In his words: “I’m happy the Society took the initiative on the smartcard. You have to keep moving forward or you’re going nowhere.” I couldn’t have said it better myself! Mr Dalgleish – I salute you!

And it has been a passion this year to raise awareness of access to justice issues, and fight the good fight over the Sheriff Appeal Court legal aid regulations – all culminating in the Defend Legal Aid campaign which has resulted in over 450 solicitors contacting their election candidates, generating more than 19,000 emails.

Finally, it has been nothing short of a gift to work alongside Alistair Morris, Lorna Jack, Eilidh Wiseman and all of the Society’s senior management team. My heartfelt thanks go to them, to our Council members and to all the Society’s staff. I could not be more delighted to be passing on the presidential role to my great friend Eilidh. I have no doubt – she will be immense!