Law Society news
Social media debate decides Donald Dewar semi-finalists
Semi-final teams are preparing for the penultimate stage of this year’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating tournament next week, after debating the merits of social media verification.
Scottish Government’s legal aid plans fail to reflect urgency of crisis
The Law Society of Scotland says newly announced plans for legal aid fail to reflect the urgency and scale of the crisis in access to justice.
The Scottish Government has today released a legal aid discussion paper alongside plans to reduce the administrative burden of legal aid, but has remained silent on the key issue of inadequate fees driving solicitors to exit and putting the system into crisis.
Double solicitor admissions ceremony sets new record
Scotland’s legal sector has set a new record as more than 140 new solicitors were formally welcomed to the profession in central Edinburgh yesterday.
New solicitor advocates introduced to Court
The Law Society of Scotland granted extended rights of audience to 11 new solicitor advocates today, joining the 11 who were introduced last week.
More stars to rise as in-house solicitors’ award expands
The Law Society of Scotland has expanded its prestigious In-house Rising Star Award with a new category to recognise trainees, in addition to spotlighting newly qualified solicitors.
Extended rights of audience granted to 11 new solicitor advocates
The Law Society of Scotland has granted extended rights of audience to 11 new solicitor advocates at a ceremony held at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Friday, 14 February 2025.
AML round up: February 2025
Catch up on all the latest anti-money laundering (AML) updates, news and guidance from the Law Society's AML team.
Lord Beckett appointed as Lord Justice Clerk
The Law Society's President has congratulated the Rt. Hon Lord Beckett on his appointment as Lord Justice Clerk.
Law Society celebrates members with professional recognition
Solicitors and paralegals have celebrated the new year with recognition in their chosen area of practice.
Tributes paid to former Law Society secretary Kenneth Pritchard
The Law Society of Scotland has paid tribute to its longstanding former Secretary, Kenneth Pritchard OBE, who has died at the age of 91.
Companies House ID verification checks changes
Firms that fall under anti-money laundering (AML) supervision and wish to provide identification verification checks to Companies House on behalf of their clients will soon be required to register as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs).
Modernisation bill a positive step for criminal justice in Scotland
The Law Society of Scotland supports proposed changes to modernise criminal justice procedures, but says such reforms must be accompanied by increased funding for the criminal justice system.
Legal sector celebrates new year with newly admitted solicitors
Scotland’s legal sector has made a strong start to 2025, with 103 new solicitors formally welcomed to the profession in central Edinburgh yesterday.
Government amendments to Legal Services Regulation Bill preserve supremacy of the rule of law
Scottish Government proposals for extensive new levels of direct government control and involvement in how Scottish solicitors work are to be removed from the Legal Services Regulation Bill, preserving supremacy of the rule of law,
Law Society congratulates Lord Pentland on appointment as Lord President
The Law Society of Scotland has offered congratulations to the Rt Hon Lord Pentland on his appointment to become the next Lord President.
Scottish agency IT outage resolved for property transactions
An IT outage with a key Scottish Government agency service that caused delays with upcoming property settlements has now been resolved.
Law Society members achieve professional milestones
A select number of the Law Society of Scotland's members have achieved new heights in their careers as they have been accredited in their chosen fields.
Legal regulation amendments must remove political control of lawyers
New amendments lodged in the Scottish Parliament this week must deliver on a government promise to reverse proposed political controls over the way lawyers work, the Law Society has said.
New paralegal accreditation launched in banking and finance
The Law Society of Scotland has added to its paralegal accreditation programme with a new specialism for paralegals who work in banking and finance.
MSPs vote for major reforms to improve judicial factors law
The Law Society of Scotland says finalised legislation to modernise the law around judicial factors provides for significant improvements when such arrangements are needed to safeguard money and other assets. MSPs voted yesterday in the Scottish Parliament to give final Stage 3 approval for the Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill.
Changes to AML Certificate
The 2024 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Certificate will introduce changes aimed at streamlining the process and reducing the administrative burden on legal practitioners.
Trainee numbers show legal sector’s record growth continues
Unprecedented growth for the Scottish legal sector has been maintained for a fourth consecutive year, with 764 new solicitor traineeships commencing in the past 12 months to the end of October 2024.
Victims Bill amendments needed to safeguard criminal justice system
The Law Society of Scotland has urged MSPs to make further changes to proposed criminal justice legislation because of the risk of miscarriages of justice.
Stuart Munro, the Convener of the Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee, has appeared before the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee to provide Stage 2 evidence on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Law Society’s rise continues in Top 100 Inclusive UK Employers list
The Law Society of Scotland’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has been recognised with an improved ranking in the Top 100 Inclusive UK Employers Index for 2024. The professional body for Scottish solicitors has been ranked 76th in the 2024 list from the National Centre for Diversity, up from 84th place last year.