AGM roundup

The Society’s 2023 annual general meeting on 29 June proved a non-contentious affair, despite a measure of opposition in advance voting on the main motion for debate, the proposed increase in the practising certificate fee.

Speaking to that motion, the President, Sheila Webster, recognised that it had provoked some strong feelings, and that it might not come as much comfort that the fee would still be lower in real terms than 15 years earlier. However the present level of funding could not continue without very serious effects, and Council, drawn from all sectors of the profession, had unanimously supported the rise in view of the potential consequences of not doing so, and wanted the Society to continue in the best possible form. Pointing to the Society’s track record in supporting members during the pandemic, she promised to continue to listen as she toured the country.

Ahead of that, the meeting had heard the reflections of Past President Murray Etherington on his year of office, and the new President on what she saw ahead.

The Past President’s highlights included speaking to members around the country and hearing their concerns and issues to inform the Society’s work; the wellbeing project, including a round table when the Society and justice sector partners had shared their experience and understanding; the sustainable annual dinner which reflected the setting up of the Sustainability Committee; and the record number of new solicitors admitted. Historic events had included the memorial service for Queen Elizabeth and the swearing in of the new First Minister. He paid tribute to Ken Dalling and Pat Thom for their “incredibly hard work” with the Government on legal aid, and thanked the Society’s staff, especially the senior leadership team, his “inspirational” fellow office bearers, and his own partners for their support.

Sheila Webster spoke of the huge honour of taking up office, and promised to do her utmost for the benefit of the profession, “however diverse our practices are”. One of her key areas was to make the Society accessible to all members, and she looked forward to her own presidential tour starting in August.

The Society faced a “double whammy” of significant bills, on criminal justice and regulation, which affected the very fabric of what it was to be a solicitor. Reform was needed, but it had to bring benefits, allowing the profession to thrive and enhancing the public interest.

The annual accounts (reporting a £5,000 loss over the year, due to a drop in the value of investments held) were adopted without questions, and chief executive Diane McGiffen then gave an update on the Society’s work under its 2022-27 plan. She instanced its briefings on 16 bills and responses to 86 consultations – “a mountain of work” but work that was taken very seriously by legislators; support for record numbers of trainees and NQs; hundreds of hours of CPD, much of it online; 11,600 enquiries handled by the Professional Practice team; and closing 248 conduct complaints.

A constitutional amendment to secure the Society’s mutual tax status was also agreed without debate.

The AGM welcomed the 20th and 21st Honorary Members to have that honour conferred by the Society: Michael Samuel, founding partner of Miller Samuel, and Peter Nicholson, long serving editor of the Society’s Journal.

Michael Samuel was Miller Samuel’s chairman from its founding in 1973, continuing in the role when it merged to become Miller Samuel Hill Brown in 2016. He has also served as convener of the Society’s Business of Conveyancing Committee, vice convener of the Property Law Committee, Dean of the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow, and 22 years as chairman of Glasgow Solicitors Property Centre, as well as trustee and chair of a number of charitable and non-profit organisations.

Peter Nicholson spent more than 20 years editing the Scots Law Times and was the founding editor of Greens Weekly Digest, alongside editing other reference sources including Parliament House Book. He has edited the Journal since 2003, also taking it into the digital age. President Sheila Webster said: "His diligence, commitment to impartiality, and attention to detail have shone through his work over the past 20 years, making the Journal a hugely valued and important resource for our members.”