Member forums: Legal aid, recruitment and what’s next

Half way through our Lawscot Member Forums for the year, we catch-up with Member Engagement Manager, Sara Czarny, to reflect on the key points of discussion and what we’ve done with your feedback.

Almost three months since we kicked off this year’s Lawscot Member Forums, it feels fitting to reflect on the hot topics and discussions that have taken place across the country, from Dundee to Dumfries, Aberdeen to Oban and many in-between.

We’ve been delighted to see so many members at these visits, all from different stages and areas of the profession. You’ve taken time out of your busy schedules to hear from us with updates on a range of important issues from legal services regulation to professional practice news, as well as the latest insights into what our colleagues at the Law Society are working on. Most important of all, we’ve heard directly from you, our members, about the challenges shaping your work, as well as the many opportunities and success stories that demonstrate the dedication, resilience, and commitment you have to providing excellent legal services across Scotland.

To take stock of what we’ve covered, here are some of the topics we’ve touched on and what we’ve done to address them:

Legal aid

Understandably, legal aid remains a pressing issue for many of you, as we have routinely discussed concerns around sustainability and funding of legal aid across the country.

In December we launched our #LegalAidMatters campaign, which has stemmed from our discussions both with our members and the government. Without urgent action, we face the very real possibility of a complete collapse of the system within 10 years and so we are asking you to back our campaign by pledging your support, spreading the word and contacting your local MSP so we can ensure that justice remains accessible to everyone — not just those who can afford it.

We are also continuing our meetings and engagement with the Scottish Government to pursue the urgent need to properly fund legal aid practitioners and emphasise the long-term risk of further eroding access to justice for the people of Scotland.

Recruitment and retention

Whether you’re in a rural area or a city firm, finding and keeping the right talent is a challenge many firms and in-house teams are facing around the country. Our Careers and Outreach and wider Education teams are working hard to build these concerns into their current strategic and communications refresh, with a view to exploring how better to represent the variety of roles available across the country and in different areas of practice.

Wellbeing and mental health

This was a standout theme at all our visits. We know that balancing the demands of the job with personal wellbeing is tough, and we’re very aware of the pressure on solicitors in over-stretched teams and the concern for people’s general health and wellbeing. Thank you for sharing so candidly about how stress and burnout are affecting you and your teams. It was because of your honesty that we have been able to shape the next phase of Lawscot Wellbeing as we look to actively address some of the key issues you raised at our recent Forums.

Smaller firms

As I mentioned earlier, recruitment and retention, more specifically for smaller firms, is something that has come up repeatedly at every stage of our Member Forums. We’ve also heard about the wider challenges you are facing, like access to technology and regulatory compliance.

In light of our discussions, we have launched research into the pressure points for small firms in order to find out what we can do to support you. So, please give your time to expand on what you’ve told us, or if you couldn’t make it but are looking to share your views, do keep an eye out for our survey – the more people we hear from, the more we'll be able to target our support based on your priorities.

Looking ahead

These visits help to build connection and understanding, so ultimately we can work together with our members to build a stronger legal profession. We’re taking your feedback straight to the heart of our strategy, and we’ll keep you updated on how we’re acting on it.

If you’re one of the many who joined us on the road—thank you! Your engagement is what makes this all worthwhile, and we look forward to continuing the conversation and working together to build a profession that thrives.