Blogs & opinions
Don't let your stress bucket overflow
To mark Stress Awareness Month this April, a number of our members will be sharing their wisdom and experiences of stress, including the causes and strategies to deal with it.
In the first of the series Catherine Hart, Partner at Digby Brown, explains how using the stress bucket metaphor has helped her manage it.
Being faith-friendly: an Employer's guide to Ramadhan
As we approach the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan, here's some suggestions on how employers should prepare to support employees who wish to observe it, and indeed religious festivals generally.
VAT on Disbursements
VAT is a complex and constantly changing tax and within the legal sector is one of the most challenging areas - VAT on disbursements. The team at the AAB Group clarify why confusion exists and the how to make the right decision when posting disbursements to your ledgers.
Fellows letter on legal aid
A group of the Law Society of Scotland Fellows have called for urgent action to address the crisis in Legal Aid.
Journal editorial March 2022: International order
The coordinated sanctions against the invasion of Ukraine offer some hope of influencing events without further escalating the use of force
Diane McGiffen on International Women's Day
Our Chief Executive Diane McGiffen writes on International Women's Day about two new initiatives to help the Scottish legal profession #BreakTheBias
Drew McCusker on LGBTQ+ History Month
Solicitor Drew McCusker, founding member of The Glass Network, tells us about the importance pf LGBTQ+ History Month.
Journal editorial February 2022: Rights of others
Despite policies and programmes to advance protected groups, hateful behaviour remains prevalent. The profession must show a lead
Benefits of becoming a Council Member - according to Pat Thom
If you are considering running for Council please be assured that the commitment is manageable, the support from the Law Society immeasurable and the whole experience hugely rewarding.
Giving effective feedback to trainees
Rob Marrs, our Head of Education, looks at the best way to give effective, constructive feedback to a trainee that not only helps them develop, but fosters a strong learning environment.
Ending the stigma around men's mental health: it's time to talk
Matt Andrews, a trainee solicitor at Brodies LLP, shares his experience of mental health and encourages us to end the stigma around men's mental health and start talking.
Journal editorial January 2022: Another year
Thoughts on where we are with COVID, and other matters likely to occupy the profession in 2022
Gillian Mawdsley: My experience of attending COP26
Gillian Mawdsley, solicitor and former Policy Executive and co-secretary of the Society's COP26 and Climate Change Working Group, writes about her experience of attending COP26 in Glasgow.
Professor Abbe Brown: My experience of attending COP26
Abbe Brown, Professor in Intellectual Property Law at the University of Aberdeen, is a member of our COP26 and Climate Change Working Group and Technology Committee. In her blog, Abbe writes about her experience as a delegate at COP26 in Glasgow.
"All Human, All Equal" - International Human Rights Day 2021
Fiona Killen, solicitor, member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Constitutional Law Sub-Committee and formerly the Law Society’s representative on the Scottish Government’s Human Rights Leadership Taskforce, shares her thoughts to mark International Human Rights Day 2021
Journal editorial December 2021: Look after your people
With business levels strong, and the job market tightening, employers will have to show they care for their staff if they want to keep them
Lawscot Wellbeing - where are all the men?
Recently, I put out a call asking for men to get involved with our International Men’s Day campaign. Sticking with the narrative that men don’t like discussing their mental health, I was disappointed only two guys came forward.
International Day of Disabled Persons - Laura McClinton
On International Day of Disabled Persons, we are delighted to share a blog by Laura McClinton a solicitor with Burness Paull.
This blog was first published by Burness Paull to mark World Arthritis day on 12 October and is reproduced with kind permission.
Client experience and design-led thinking: what law can learn from tech
Following up her session at our Law & Tech Conference in October, Lauren Watson Director of Legal Partnerships at Legl discusses how tech can help firms become more client centric.
International Men's Day 2021: 'Big boys don’t cry, but men do'
For International Men's Day 2021, a director in a large law firm in Scotland shares his experience with his own mental heath struggles and how he manages it.
International Men's Day 2021: Having the strength to not 'man up'
Declan Cleary, a paraplanner at Anderson Strathern Asset Management, shares his experience of anxiety and reminds us that we are not alone.
UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
Our International Policy Executive Adam Marks provides the low down on the recent Agreement in Principle, highlighting the key points and what they mean for the legal profession.
COP26 and human rights - roundtable round up
In the run up to the Conference of the Parties 26 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), the Society's Working Group on COP26 & Climate Change organised a roundtable event to consider the topic of COP26, climate change and human rights. Alison McNab and Gillian Mawdsley provide a round up from the event.
Journal editorial November 2021
The political choice regarding legal services regulation may ultimately be one of priorities relating to independence and the profession