The Law Society of Scotland at 75

The 31 July is an important date. It’s the Society’s 75th birthday. CEO Diane McGiffen shares her thoughts on this significant milestone, and why access to justice is just as important today, as it was in 1949.

A champion for social mobility within Scotland’s legal profession and a moderniser of Scottish conveyancing have been awarded Honorary Membership of the professional body for Scottish solicitors.

Six inspiring members of the Scottish legal sector have been announced as the inaugural winners of the Law Society of Scotland’s Legal Pioneers Award, which was launched to mark the Society's 75th anniversary.

In the last of our series, 75th Anniversary Conversations, past President of the Law Society from 2015-2016, Christine McLintock, and Lawscot Foundation alumnus Megan Allan meet to discuss their paths to success, the creation of the Lawscot Foundation and what they hope for the future of the profession.

Elizabeth Rose, Legal Director and Founder of L&M MediLaw, reflects on the evolution of the profession’s approach to inclusivity and client engagement and her innovative approach to setting up and running a trauma-informed and accessible practice.

In this retrospective piece, solicitor Adrian D. Ward MBE, a recognised international expert in adult incapacity law, reflects on the significant developments in legal practice over the years. 

We sit down with two members of the Accredited Paralegal Committee, Laura McLaren and Sandra Reid, and Bruce Battersby, solicitor at BTO solicitors, to track the influence of paralegals over the past 75 years and what they hope to see change going forward.

As we mark the Society’s 75th anniversary, our Member Engagement Manager, Sara Czarny, reflects on the enormous changes of the past few years and shares the big ticket issues that will shape the future of the profession.

Rupa Mooker and Harley Kirk kick off the first of our three-part video series, 75th Conversations, which features Lawscot Foundation students and long-standing members of the profession discussing their career journeys to date and changes within the legal sector.

Rachel Steer, Senior Manager of our CPD Research Team, considers how training for our members has moved from serving up bacon butties and lectures in conference halls, to delivering online training and specialist certification around the globe.

In the second instalment of 75th Conversations, Lawscot Foundation student Ben Campbell and Fellow John Macmillan discuss how the legal profession has evolved and their thoughts for the future of the sector.

The Society marked its 75th anniversary year with a formal dinner in Edinburgh, celebrating its ongoing role supporting and overseeing the solicitor profession.

For International Women's Day 2024, Sheila Webster, President 2023-2024, reflects on the women who have inspired her in her career and what we can all do to progress gender equality in the legal profession.

In honour of our 75th anniversary and Earth Day, Hannah L Moneagle showcases how you can use your skills and knowledge as a solicitor to save the planet.