Blogs & opinions
AML Spotlight: Training
For our anti-money laundering (AML) blog series spotlighting key topics, our AML Risk Manager Emma Cairns looks at the requirements and benefits of AML/counter terrorist financing (CTF) training.
Mental Health Awareness Week – Women in Law
Lou Murphy Careers and Wellbeing Manager reflects on the Law Society’s well attended Women in Law event, held last month during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Building a course for paralegals: The challenges of online learning and a work life balance
Following on from Jim McKay's discussion on the early stages of setting up the Paralegal Practice Course with Robert Gordon University (RGU), we sit down with David Christie, the Associate Dean for Academic Development and Student Experience at RGU’s Law School, to understand why they wanted to create the course and the challenges of online learning.
The fear of leaving – embrace your holiday!
Feeling anxious about taking annual leave? Solicitor Nadia Cook shares her personal tips for overcoming holiday stress and strategies to truly disconnect and recharge during your time off. This blog offers practical advice for everyone, as well as specific guidance for managers on supporting employee wellbeing by encouraging them to embrace their breaks.
Setting the foundation: How we created a university course for paralegals
In the first of three blog posts, Head of Commercial Services at the Law Society, Jim McKay, shares how we went from an idea – a university course for paralegals – to working with Robert Gordon University to bring the concept to life.
Accredited Paralegal Roundup: The start of 2024
In a new regular update, our Member Services Co-Ordinator and Secretary to the Accredited Paralegal Committee, Laura McBain, sits down to share what’s been happening with the Accredited Paralegal status since the start of the new year and some useful information on your learning and development.
Roundtable events dig below the surface of criminal justice reforms
In recent months we've organised two roundtable events to bring together a diverse range of views on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Why cyber insurance isn’t a substitute for cyber risk management
Cyber insurance may recoup some costs, provide cyber specialists to investigate the crisis and may even pay the ransom, but there are still issues left unresolved by insurance alone. Law Society of Scotland partner, Mitigo Cybersecurity explain why cyber insurance isn’t a substitute for cyber risk management.
Deaf Awareness Week: How to communicate inclusively
Dhana McIver, a solicitor and disability officer at Balfour + Manson who is also profoundly deaf, discusses the extent of hearing loss across the UK and what we can all do to communicate in a more inclusive way.
Move more! Mental Health Awareness Week 2024
We'll be offering a range of webinars on key topics during Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place this year from 13 to 19 May. Now in its 23rd year, the week is an important opportunity to make time for our mental health and to tackle the stigma that remains a challenge in this important area.
Moving with awareness to boost your mental health
Claire Jacques from Lawsight Ltd discusses how being aware of your movement can boost your mental health. Claire Jacques a former lawyer who has retrained as a UKCP registered psychotherapist offers some top tips on moving with awareness.
A guide to climate lawyering: How you can use your day job to save the planet
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.
Building an in-house community, one post at a time
In the wake of launching the in-house community platform, co-conveners of the In-house Lawyers Committee (ILC), Vlad Valiente and Sheekha Saha, share the inspiration for the platform and why bringing together the in-house community is so important.
Women's Health; Understanding endometriosis and adenomyosis
Nicola Rylatt, Solicitor and member of the Wellbeing Steering group talks about endometriosis and adenomyosis, the impact it can have on a woman’s life and ways employers can help.
Celebrating Vaisakhi
The major Sikh festival Vaisakhi takes place on 14 April this year. Kirndeep Kaur, a solicitor and member of our Equality and Diversity committee, explains its significance, how it is celebrated and the reflections it brings.
What Easter means to me
Holy Week, the last week of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday and most sacred time in the Christian calendar, begins on 24 March. As we approach Easter, Meya Phiri, a solicitor and member of our Equality and Diversity sub-committee, reflects on what it means to her.
Why is bullying still such a big issue for the legal sector?
LawCare Chief Executive Elizabeth Rimmer discusses why bullying is still an issue in the legal sector, what impact it makes, and how we can change this by working together.
International Women’s Day 2024: Inspiring inclusion
For International Women's Day 2024, our President Sheila Webster 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.
Chinese New Year 2024: Learning from the dragon
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival, is on 10 February this year. As the auspicious Year of the Dragon begins, Ruth Medlock, a senior solicitor at Miller Samuel Hill Brown, reflects on the Zodiac calendar and the lessons we can all learn from its symbolism.
LGBT+ History Month: Words matter
For LGBT+ History Month, Gordon Lennox WS, Director at Macdonald Henderson and a Law Society Council member, reflects on his experience growing up gay in the 1970s and '80s, how times have changed for the LGBT+ community, and why 'coming out' needs to be consigned to history.
A Scottish perspective on the Post Office Horizon scandal
Stuart Munro, the Convener of our Criminal Law Committee, writes on the ongoing Post Office Horizon scandal and how Scotland is lagging in resolving mistreatment of subpostmasters.
We need to talk about mental health in the Scottish legal sector
John McElligott, Chief Operating Officer of Kara Connect discusses mental health in the Scottish legal profession, why wellbeing matters and what employers can do address wellbeing issues.
Journal editorial December 2023
A farewell message, with many people to thank, on stepping down as editor after 20 years in post
AML Spotlight: Holistic customer due diligence
For our anti-money laundering (AML) blog series spotlighting key topics and concerns, our AML Risk Manager Jenni Rodgers looks at holistic customer due diligence: what it is, why it's important and the steps and risk factors to consider.