Law Society news
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Consumers must be protected from unregulated legal services
Consumers must be protected from the risks posed by unregulated legal services such as will writing and online divorces.
Licensed Legal Services Provider update
Work is ongoing to create a regulatory scheme for Licensed Legal Services Providers - read our short update.
Comment on judges response to Regulation of Legal Services Bill
The Society's President Sheila Webster comments on the response to the Regulation of Legal Service Bill from Scotland's senior judges.
AML round up: July 2023
Catch up on all the latest anti-money laundering (AML) news for the legal sector, plus what the AML team has been working on to help aid practices.
New Russian legal advisory sanctions webinar
Practices with exposure to Russian sanctions are being encouraged to attend a Ministry of Justice webinar on 18 July on new legislation that prevents UK lawyers from advising Russian companies in certain business deals.
New legal sector engagement forum
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has set up a new legal sector engagement forum, which practices are being encouraged to join.
Results of AML thematic review of Policies, Controls and Procedures published
Our anti-money laundering (AML) team has published the findings of its major thematic review into practices' Policies, Controls and Procedures (PCPs). All practices in scope of the money laundering regulations are recommended to fully consider the findings of this report and review their AML PCPs accordingly.
AML attestation initial findings
The anti-money laundering (AML) team reveals the initial findings of its new supervisory attestation process, which was launched in November last year and is an ongoing piece of work reaching all practices who may not fall under the scope of our full high-risk AML inspection process.
AML breach reporting form updated
The Law Society of Scotland’s anti-money laundering (AML) team has released an updated breach reporting form.
Legal Sector Affinity Group updates AML guidance
The Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) has published the latest update to its HM Treasury-approved guidance on preventing money laundering in the legal sector.
Law Society urges SLCC to minimise costs on solicitors
In its response to the SLCC’s proposed budget for 2023/24, the Society has questioned proposals for a 9% rise to the levy paid by solicitors and has urged the complaints handling body to to minimise cost increases.
Refreshed AML Client and Matter Level Risk Assessment templates
The AML team has launched a new Client and Matter Level Risk Assessment (CMLRA) template and guidance for members to use. Our AML Risk Manager Dale Trahms explains how to use the templates and why CMLRAs are important to get right.
SLCC report underlines need for regulatory reform
A new report from the SLCC has underlined the need for substantial reform to the processes for handling legal complaints.
Solicitors jailed for fraud
Iain Robertson, Alastair Blackwood and David Lyons were among a group of five men jailed for fraud following a nine-week trial.
Government reforms on legal regulation good news for consumers and the Scottish legal sector
Scottish Government plans to bring forward new legislation to reform and modernise the regulation of legal services are good news for consumers and the Scottish legal sector.
Court of Session confirms position on legal privilege and third party complaints
The Court of Session has confirmed its position on legal privilege in relation to third party complaints and has provided clarity on the limits of client confidentiality following publication of its opinion on 9 December.
WW & J McClure Limited / Jones Whyte Limited FAQs
Greenock law firm WW & J McClure Limited went into administration and ceased trading in early 2021. We have have collated answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Guidance update on third-party complaints
Read our update on Guidance relating to third-party complaints following the Court’s Opinion in the case of Scottish Legal Complaints Commission v Donald Roderick Murray and Another
Updated AML Supervisory Annual Report
You can read our AML Supervisory Annual Report for 2022.
Law Society set to introduce new AML supervisory attestation process
The AML team is launching a new supervisory attestation process. This will be an ongoing piece of work reaching all practices who may not fall under the scope of our full high-risk AML inspection process.
Campbell Connon FAQs
Campbell Connon has ceased to practice. A Judicial Factor has been appointed to access all of the files, documentation and the client account and we have put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Rule changes set to bolster complaints process and modernise Accounts Rules
The Society's Regulatory Committee is set to take forward changes to solicitor practice rules following its SGM on 26 October 2022. The changes will further strengthen the sector’s robust standards by bolstering the legal complaints process and modernising Accounts Rules.
Cashroom Manager Assessment Q&A
Following on from our consultation earlier this year on our proposals to update the Society's Accounts Rules, we have compiled a Q&A in advance of our SGM this month on what the proposed changes, which would see the introduction of a Cashroom Manager Assessment, will mean for cashroom managers at law firms.
AML Round up
The ever increasing importance and visibility of AML and other economic crime issues at international, domestic and sectoral level means that it's vital for solicitors to be aware of the latest developments. Our latest AML round up provides the latest updates and news for the legal sector.