President

Writing this just as I reach the mid-point of my presidency, I can scarcely believe that six months have passed since I took on this role. I feel really privileged to have had so many amazing experiences in that time. I’ve talked previously in this column about some of my priorities as President and we will continue to work on those over the next six months.

I was particularly delighted to release the results of our Profile of the Profession in November, and to note the progress in many important aspects of that research. The results of our questions around wellbeing were instructive, and confirm we have, as one of my predecessors says regularly, much still to do. The findings on threats and violence against our members should shock us all, and make us more determined to follow my exhortations to “be kind”. How we all behave influences others, and if we, as a profession, do our best to demonstrate that aggression of any sort is not acceptable to us, the better we are as a community. As we approach Christmas, can that be our commitment for 2024?

It’s good to meet

I was asked recently what I had, so far, enjoyed the most. I had no hesitation in answering. Meeting members is undoubtedly a highlight of my year to date. I’m conscious that some past Presidents have not had the privilege of meeting in person, and that makes it all the more important to me that I make the most of those opportunities. I have plenty of constituencies still to visit and I aim to fit in as many visits as I can, but I’ve been encouraged by the engagement in the Borders, Perth, Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland. It’s great to meet so many of you and to hear your thoughts and what we can do to help.

It’s also been wonderful to meet with our larger firms across the country and hear from their leadership teams.

I find it fascinating that the concerns are often the same for the larger firms as they are for high street firms, and that we can share our experiences for the benefit of us all. One large firm shared its experience with staff returning to the profession and what it does to encourage returners, which is so helpful in my determination to improve our statistics on equality, diversity and inclusivity. I’ve said before that we get much from our international engagement, and Murray, our Past President, will chair round table discussions about the future for high street firms, sharing information with our Northern Irish counterparts who have similar challenges with that part of the profession. Recruitment, retention, succession – I suspect they’ll all come up! Meetings with our Fellows and Past Presidents are also a source of wisdom and experience we can share.

It’s your Society, so you’ll get most from it as you engage with your office bearers and the staff teams. We love to hear from you – brickbats as well as praise!

New beginnings

Meeting our newest entrants and future entrants to the profession is also a real privilege, and I’ve loved speaking not only at our own admission ceremonies, but also at ceremonies for presentation of the Diploma in Legal Practice, and paralegal certificates, and most recently at a dinner for first year LLB students. I spoke about my own background and entry into the profession, and several students talked positively about the importance of hearing of our profession being open to all, regardless of background. I was particularly delighted to meet a student who attended my own state school (there aren’t that many of us!).

This is the last Journal column under the remarkable editorship of the outstanding Peter Nicholson, before he retires. I cannot let that go without comment. Peter was conferred with Honorary Membership of the Society earlier this year and, more recently, last month, with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Herald Law Awards, both so richly deserved. Peter, it has been a pleasure working with you. Thank you for your huge contribution to the Scottish legal profession. You’ll be missed by us all.

At the same time, we welcome Rebecca Morgan, our incoming editor, following the appointment of Think Publishing as our new publishers – we’re looking forward to working with you!

As the festive season begins, I wish every one of you peace, happiness and joy, however you plan to celebrate.

And, for my last Presidential Playlist of 2023:

• Christmas Lights, Coldplay – not a traditional one, but a favourite.
• It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas, Perry Como – well, it is in our house!
• New Year’s Day, U2 – Happy new year to you all when it comes.