FAQs

A Law Society of Scotland ID (Lawscot ID) card identifies you as a qualified Scottish solicitor, licensed and with a valid practising certificate. The card contains your photograph and your Law Society ID number that can be checked against the current roll of solicitors.

You can present the card as proof of ID while visiting prisons, courts, police stations, meeting prospective clients, or introducing yourself to potential employers.

Lawscot ID cards have a 10-year validity and are free of charge.

You can apply for a Lawscot ID card as soon as you have a practising certificate.

Your Lawscot ID card is valid for 10 years. We recommend that you apply for a new card at least 10 working days before your current card expires.

We aim to respond to requests for ID cards within ten working days.

If you have an immediate requirement to prove your identity as a practising solicitor, you can print a copy of your practising certificate by logging into the Members section of The Law Society of Scotland's website using your personal credentials. Select 'practising certificate' from the left-hand menu and follow the instructions provided.

We also advise taking another form of ID with you to appointments at the Courts, prisons, or police stations. A driving licence or passport should suffice. If any verification beyond that is required, you can access the Scottish solicitor status check  area on our website, enter your five-digit solicitor ID number and this will enable the requestor to check that you are currently entitled to practice as a solicitor in Scotland.  

No, you don’t need to sign a contract for your Lawscot ID card. We will check your submission, prepare a card for you, and send it to your registered business address. Please inform us if your card is lost or damaged and we will arrange a replacement card for you.

No, our Smartcard with QES service closed in October 2023. If you require a qualified electronic signature, you can find a list of potential suppliers at Qualified Electronic Signatures.

Should you require to prove your identity as a practising solicitor, you can print a copy of your practising certificate by logging into the Members section of The Law Society of Scotland's website using your personal credentials. Please select 'practising certificate' from the left-hand menu and follow the instructions provided. We also advise taking another form of ID with you to appointments at the Courts, prisons, or police stations. A driving licence or passport should suffice. If any verification beyond that is required, you can access the Scottish solicitor status check  area on our website, enter your five-digit solicitor ID number and this will enable the requestor to check that you are currently entitled to practice as a solicitor in Scotland.  

Please inform us of any loss or damage to your Lawscot ID card by emailing lawscotid@lawscot.org.uk. We will produce a replacement ID card for you as soon as possible and send it to your registered business address.

If you have an immediate requirement to prove your identity as a practising solicitor in the interim, you can print a copy of your practising certificate by logging into the Members section of The Law Society of Scotland's website using your personal credentials. Please select 'practising certificate' from the left-hand menu and follow the instructions provided. We also advise taking another form of ID with you to appointments at the Courts, prisons, or police stations. A driving licence or passport should suffice. If any verification beyond that is required, you can access the Scottish solicitor status check  area on our website, enter your five-digit solicitor ID number and this will enable the requestor to check that you are currently entitled to practice as a solicitor in Scotland.  

No, you must undertake the online process of renewing your practising certificate every year. For further details in this respect please contact the Member Registration Team.

Your Lawscot ID card is a convenient way to evidence your entitlement to practice. Since only licensed solicitors with a valid practising certificate (PC) can obtain a Lawscot ID card, it immediately identifies you as such to prospective clients, potential employers, or security personnel in courts and prisons.

Yes, if you are a qualified Scottish solicitor, licensed and with a valid practising certificate, you can obtain a Lawscot ID card, irrespective of your home location.

Yes, the name you practise under should also be the name printed on your Law Society ID card. Once you have alerted the Member Registration Team to the name change, please contact us. A new card with your updated name will then be produced and sent to your business address.

No. Your Lawscot ID card is aligned to you and your status as practising solicitor, not the firm you work for. That said, when requesting a Lawscot ID card, you will be asked to provide an email address. We recommend that you provide a personal email address or one you know that you will retain for the validity of your ID card as this is the email address we will use to communicate with you in relation to ID cards.

If you stop practising law, you need to return your Lawscot ID card to us. Without a practising certificate you are not entitled to retain the card.

In addition, the Scottish Solicitor Status Check will show you as “not entitled to practise.” This online tool can be used by organisations and members of the public to check the solicitor ID number on your card.