President's column: February 2023

Welfare and wellbeing has been a key consideration during my term as President. It has been a particular focus of my first few weeks of the new year.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Dundee University Law Society on welfare issues as part of their Wellness week. It is always a joy to speak to prospective members of the profession and I left the evening buoyed that we have such enthusiastic, hardworking and talented individuals looking to join our ranks.

But speaking about wellbeing on to mental health is not just for the new generation of lawyers. One of the highlights of my year so far has been convening my first presidential round table on wellbeing.

Special focus

At that round table were senior members of the justice sector, including the Dean of Faculty, Lord Woolman, SCTS, COPFS, the Judicial Institute and representatives from the Society. The round table was to focus on issues and to understand what we, as a group, are doing about it in our individual areas and learn from those experiences. It was heartening to hear that so much is happening across the justice sector and that wellbeing and mental health issues are no longer a stigma that is to be brushed under the carpet and not spoken about; indeed everybody round the table said they know that wellbeing is an issue in their particular organisation.

The purpose of the meeting was to work more closely with our colleagues across the whole justice sector to deliver a more rounded approach to wellbeing, to make use of all of our experiences, and to exchange knowledge. It was a fascinating discussion and could have lasted much longer than the three hours allocated. We are hoping to meet again to develop some proposals as to what we can do jointly as organisations. Only by working collaboratively can we help all of our members and hopefully make the justice sector more inviting, inclusive and collegiate. I am looking forward to our next session and to announcing some joint proposals that can be rolled out to enhance our Lawscot Wellbeing initiative.

Have you had your visit?

Having visited the north of Scotland and the south west last year, we will be completing the west coast, the south east and my home areas of Dundee, Perth and Fife. I am looking forward to making sure that all the Society’s constituencies have a visit from me this year. Our visits – our chief executive Diane McGiffen joins me on the road – so far have been lively, interesting, and show that we need to do more to listen to our members to provide you with the support and services that you require to help you, your colleagues and your businesses thrive no matter the area of law or your geographical location. Please look out for future events and come along to share your views.

Lastly, a thank you to the Society of Scottish Solicitors in London for a wonderful Burns Supper. It was an excellent evening with some fine speeches, beautiful singing and a fabulous celebration of Burns. It never ceases to amaze me, the number of Scottish solicitors in London and the positions which they hold. Ours truly is an amazing profession!