President

“The end of an era”, is a phrase that often trips off the tongue of TV pundits when a longstanding footballer or manager moves onto pastures new, or at a retirement celebration for a longstanding colleague: it is meant with kindness and respect, but rarely does it actually mean what it says.

This month, however, we are truly seeing not only the end of an era but the birth of a new one. It is a rare event and the first such change in many of our lifetimes. I had the sad duty of writing to His Majesty The King offering the Law Society of Scotland’s deepest and sincere condolences to him and the rest of the Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

There are many facts being reported about the longevity of the Queen’s life and reign – she was witness to huge change in the UK and globally during her lifetime, from her active service during World War 2, shifting borders across Europe, a new Commonwealth of nations now consisting of 56 countries and over 2 billion people, financial boom and bust, and the dawn of a new digital age.

She gave assent to over 3,200 Acts of primary UK legislation and over 310 Acts of the Scottish Parliament – quite an astounding number. However it was her commitment to public service and duty that most resonates for me, and which is reflected in so many of the tributes to her from around the globe. Throughout her remarkable reign, the Queen put her country and the Commonwealth first.

She was no stranger to Scotland, or indeed to the Law Society of Scotland. In a letter of welcome to the 2015 Commonwealth Law Conference in Glasgow, the Queen demonstrated her absolute belief in the just administration of the law. The Commonwealth under her stewardship has championed the rule of law through sharing knowledge, skills and expertise to ensure the best possible standards throughout this unique family of nations.

As the reign of His Majesty King Charles III begins, we all wonder what the future will bring. The mantle he has taken up is daunting. Undoubtedly there will be change ahead for the monarchy and the country as a whole. As I write this column, I ponder what will these changes mean for my family, myself and our profession.

As much as we grieve the loss of The Queen, we wish King Charles well for a long and prosperous reign. He himself has been part of the fabric of the country for over 70 years and, for many decades, has advocated for causes close to his heart. We will all, I am sure, look keenly to see how he takes on his new constitutional duties as Sovereign, particularly at a time of such uncertainty at home and abroad.

For now we mourn the passing of our longest reigning monarch, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family.