Strategy session draws a crowd

More than 110 solicitors from across the profession (and some of the Society’s non-solicitor volunteers) joined an online session last month held to enable members to feed into the creation of the Society’s next five-year strategy.

Following addresses by chief executive Diane McGiffen and the office bearers, a series of breakout sessions took place where those present could discuss in smaller groups the themes of:

• the future shape of the legal profession;
• the rule of law and the constitutional future;
• the justice system;
• wellbeing, equality, diversity, and barriers to the profession; and
• climate change, the environment and sustainability.

Diane McGiffen opened the event by explaining that the strategy would need to confront some big issues: the still fragile economic recovery; major changes to our courts and justice system; maintaining wellbeing in the profession; improving equality and diversity; protecting access to justice through the proper resourcing of legal aid; the impact of climate change; and much more.

Ken Dalling added that the Society was undertaking what it hoped was a rigorous process of engagement with members and stakeholders. Recent positive trends he noted included the growth in hybrid and flexible working, and the number of women now in top positions. Negatives included the pressures on fees, anti-money laundering regulation, and the number of Scottish firms being taken over from outside Scotland. COVID-19 had taken us years ahead of where we would otherwise have been in the use of online processes, but there were “still legitimate concerns about how well we are served by online justice”. Legal aid remained in crisis.

On-the-spot polls of those attending indicated that 86% believed they had adapted well, or very well, to the COVID restrictions; 57% felt optimistic or very optimistic about the future of the profession (with 16% pessimistic and 27% neutral); and 62% agreed or strongly agreed that their firm took positive steps to support wellbeing (with 22% disagreeing and 16% neutral).

A report for the Journal was promised in due course, collating the views expressed from the various breakout groups.

Members who wish to are still able to offer their input to the strategy.