Blogs & opinions
Maintaining compliance through unusual times
Recent announcements from the UK and Scottish Governments mean a return to traditional office work is still on hold for most of us. This article, which is the first in a series of collaborative content from ScotlandIS Cyber and Data Clusters, FinTech Scotland and LawscotTech, considers how working from home can impact on employees’ attitudes towards diligence and how companies can encourage a compliance-driven culture in a remote setting.
We all have a role to play
The fight for justice and inclusion, regardless of colour or creed, is a shared history that we must all strive to build upon to ensure a society and profession where everyone can thrive, says Tsepiso Forrest, a DPLP student at Robert Gordon University (RGU) and volunteer at the Citizen Advice Bureaux in Nairn and RGU Law Clinic.
Journal editorial October 2020
Sadly, it is necessary to speak out loudly and clearly for the profession and the rule of law and against a Government that poses a threat to both
Amanda Millar Passes the Badge on World Mental Health Day 2020
The Society's President, Amanda Millar, tells us why she is supporting our campaign to Pass the Badge on World Mental Health Day this year, as part of our work on tackling mental health stigma and discrimination.
Elaine Motion on Passing the Badge for World Mental Health Day
Elaine Motion, Chairman of Balfour+Manson shares her thoughts about mental health as part of the Society's Pass the Badge campaign launch to mark World Mental Health Day 2020.
Iain Reid Passes the Badge to mark World Mental Health Day
Iain Reid, Chief Executive of the Faculty of Advocates, explains how the Faculty helps supports its members' mental health and what he does to switch off from the pressures of work as part of our Pass the Badge campaign to mark World Mental Health Day this year.
WTO reflections - trade in the time of coronavirus
Our Policy Executive Carolyn Thurston Smith considers how three key themes from discussions at the World Trade Organisation Public Forum in October 2019, on the influence of Millennials and Generation Z on commerce, have played out during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scotland's history is Black history
Tatora Mukushi, a Dual-Qualified Human Rights Solicitor currently leading Shelter Scotland’s Migrant Destitution Project, discusses the tightly interwoven history of Scotland and Black people, arguing that education on the topic is crucial to creating meaningful change and that lawyers have a vital role to play.
The legal tech internship: a priceless experience
Legal technology is increasingly important to the future of law, making a legal tech internship an invaluable experience for any law student, explains Sam Moore, Innovation Manager at Burness Paull and an Accredited Legal Technologist.
Challenge, passion and development - being a lay member of the Society's Council
Liam McCabe, Executive Director of Finance at Stirling University, was a lay member of our governing Council from January 2013 until November 2019. Liam also served as the convener to our Audit Committee during that time.
Bisexual: The B in LGBTQ+ needs celebrated too
For Bi Visibility Day, Deborah Allan, solicitor at Shepherd & Wedderburn, discusses the challenges still facing bi people today and the progress being made towards ensuring the "B" in LGBTQ+ is respected and celebrated.
LawCare: How we can help
LawCare is the charity dedicated to supporting people working in the law. Most of us have probably heard of it, but do you know how LawCare can help, why people call and who would be at the other end of the phone? Find out more here.
Our flexible working future
Flexible working has gone from a trendy buzzword to the new normal during lockdown. As we publish our flexible working guidance, Elaine MacGlone, Equality & Diversity Manager at the Law Society of Scotland, reflects on her personal experience of flexible working, how things have changed and what the future might hold.
The Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah offers all a time for reflection
As we approach the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah, Philip Rodney, columnist, consultant, non-exec and Fellow of the Law Society of Scotland, discusses what it means to be Jewish and how the legal profession can learn from this time of reflection.
No summer placement? Don’t stress!
Hannah Leslie, Group Lawyer at Springfield Properties Plc, talks about why students who don't have legal summer placements don't need to panic about how this might impact their job prospects.
Journal editorial September 2020
The legal profession has increasingly to defend itself, and its neediest clients, from authorities who have little appreciation of its role
Staying in touch with the peloton
Harriet Derrick, our CPD & Training Research Manager, and Confscribe co-founder Ed Murray, round up the key insights from the business readiness panel at the first virtual Sole Practitioner and High Street Firm conference.
World Suicide Prevention Day – how can you and your workplace get involved?
Olivia Moore who leads our Lawscot Wellbeing work discusses how employers and individuals can get involved in raising awareness to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2020 on Thursday, 10 September.
Who is your in-house rising star of 2020
The In-house Rising Star award is a fantastic opportunity to recognise outstanding in-house trainees and NQs. Beth Anderson, Head of Engagement for In-house Lawyers at the Society, talks about why, this year more than ever, she would encourage the celebration of emerging in-house talent.
Reflections on working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic
John Morrison, Legal Counsel at Phoenix Group and In-house Lawyers Committee vice-convener, shares some thoughts on adapting to new working practices as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
What is taking the US Bar Exam like?
Adam Ridley, shares his experience about sitting the Bar Exam and how it has benefited his career so far.
Journal editorial August 2020
Alleviating the impact of COVID-19 would be a better use of Holyrood's time between now and the election than the Hate Crime Bill
Levelling the playing field
The moderation of Scottish exams results has once again highlighted the challenges faced by pupils from lower-performing schools. Heather McKendrick, Head of Careers & Outreach, discusses how the Law Society is attempting to ensure fair access to the profession, what more needs to be done and how employers can help.
Advocating hope - lessons from summer school
Our week-long virtual summer school had sessions on a wide variety of topics, including exploring the work of advocates. Attendee Julian Thomson discusses the impactful words of one particular speaker and how they inspired him to explore advocacy as a career.