Blogs & opinions
HNC to Trainee
COPFS trainee Freya Anderson Ward explains why, for her, the HNC Legal Services was the perfect stepping stone to the LLB.
Flexible working and 'walking the talk'
Olivia Moore works in Careers & Outreach at the Law Society of Scotland. In this piece she uses the story of one prospective trainee to examine why employers might want to improve their flexible working practices to accommodate the next generation of solicitors.
Journal editorial February 2020
The words and actions of the UK Government are causing unease for believers in democracy and the rule of law
The benefits of a good mentor
Ahead of our new mentor training on Wednesday 26 February, Cheryl Ferguson discusses the benefits of a good mentor and how to make the most of your mentoring relationship
Closing Skills Gaps and Increasing Diversity
Morna Ronnie, Head of Programmes at Back in Business, talks about closing the skills gap, increasing diversity and returners to the profession.
HND to LLB and beyond
In the first of a new series of blogs highlighting non-traditional pathways to qualification, David Durie, DPLP student, tells us why studying the HND Legal Services helped him realise his potential and prepare him to for the next step
The power of partnerships
Back in November our Equality and Diversity Manager Elaine MacGlone attended the Stonewall Scotland workplace conference. A key theme was the power of partnerships to pool resources and exceed what an individual organisation may be able to achieve on their own - an approach which the Law Society is always keen to embrace.
Getting work experience
Amelia Mah, future trainee solicitor and final year dual-qualifying law student at the University of Dundee, discusses work experience.
European Law Students' Association
ELSA’s history, its global and national links as well as unique opportunities that it offers to its members. We want to raise awareness and to gain practical and financial support from law firms. Our aim is to organise events that will add value to the academic and work experiences offered to ELSA members.
New Year - New You! Make mentoring your resolution
Our Careers and Outreach Coordinator, Lyndsey Thomson, talks about the benefits of mentoring and why you should make this your New Year's resolution
Journal editorial January 2020
Independence of the profession, or independence of its regulation? Those stances represent the opponents and supporters of the Roberton review proposals, the subject of renewed debate this month
A New Year but an old challenge - to improve equality and diversity
How are your New Year's resolutions going? Rob Marrs, our Head of Education, has been inspired by the turn of the year to blog on the challenge to improve equality and diversity in the legal profession, and the improvements we can all work towards to make this happen.
The benefits of dual qualification for an international legal career
Rob Dudley, BARBRI Deputy Managing Director, International, discusses working across borders and how BARBRI can support those looking to dual qualify in another jurisdiction.
Journal editorial December 2019
The benefits of bringing a feminist perspective to the law
Anyone can play guitar!
If you've ever harboured secret aspirations of becoming a rock star, then look no further than Lexfactor. Round up your band and sign up to take part in the inaugural battle of the legal bands on Thursday 12 March at Edinburgh's Corn Exchange. It's all in support of a great cause, the Lawscot Foundation, so if you're more of a groupie than a performer, you can help too. Buy your ticket, get the date in your diary and come a long for a great night out. And in the meantime, watch Lorna and John's promo video to find out more!
Putting user experience first benefits us all
Rob Marrs, Head of Education, reflects on the recent Inclusion Scotland conference and asks what difference would it make if we began by asking how can we design processes to make sure everyone can participate.
The victim surcharge
Law Society Policy Executive Gillian Mawdsley provides an update on the victim surcharge regulations which were introduced in November.
My unconventional journey to qualification
Claire Withers, newly-qualified solicitor at Brodies, discusses her journey to qualification and explains why, despite qualifying six years later than intended, she wouldn't change her experiences on the way
Platinum blog series - rehabilitating woman offenders with Grace
As part of our Platinum blog series marking the Society's 70th year, we hear from Joyce Murray, founder of the social enterprise Grace Chocolates which supports women who have touched the criminal justice system towards fulfilling employment.
Want to develop your skills and network? Why not join a Law Society committee?
Deborah Lovell is a partner at Anderson Strathern. Following her recent appointment to The Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal, Deborah has stepped down as convener to the Property Law Committee, having served on Law Society committees for 12 years.
Benefits of working in rural practice as a trainee solicitor
Newly qualified solicitor, Aidan Tuohy, discusses his experience of spending twelve months of his traineeship in a rural practice and the benefits this afforded him.
Can technology simplify compliance processes?
Recognising that collecting data to complete the AML certificate can be time consuming for members, we have been working with a number of case management providers to see if there is a technical solution that will ease that process.
Journal editorial November 2019
Reform is set to follow the publication of the Scottish Jury Research Study, and the profession should engage with Government on that basis
The LLB: you’re in...what now, what next?
Amelia Mah, future trainee solicitor,and final year dual-qualifying law student at the University of Dundee, discusses the LLB.