Law Society news
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Legal aid crisis hitting Scotland's most deprived families
New data reveals hundreds of legal aid ‘not-spots’ – deprived communities with no civil legal aid firms.
Scottish Government must avoid delays in moving the Scottish Mental Health Law Review report to the implementation phase
The Law Society of Scotland has congratulated the Scottish Mental Health Law Review on the publication of its final report and urged the Scottish Government to avoid delays in moving to the implementation phase.
Law Society of Scotland calls for views on principles-based approach to administrative justice
The Law Society of Scotland is calling on the legal profession, stakeholders across the justice system and members of the public for their views on proposals for a principles-based approach to administrative justice in Scotland.
Bail bill only a partial solution to unjust remand numbers
We've given broad support for proposed changes to bail and release from custody arrangements, but remain deeply concerned at the high number of accused people being held on remand.
Programme for government 2022-23 comment
The Society's President Murray Etherington has commented on today's Scottish Government programme for government for 2022-23.
Justice not served by Scottish sexual offence proposals
The Law Society of Scotland has raised serious concerns about a possible move to judge-only sexual offence trials in Scottish courts, and the creation of additional courts outside the existing judicial structure.
Scottish Government must address unregulated deprivations of liberty
The Scottish Government’s continued failure to ensure deprivations of liberty are appropriately regulated must be addressed as a matter of priority, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
Human rights must not be diminished by Bill of Rights
The Law Society of Scotland has said that existing rights of those living in the UK must not be diminished by the the Bill of Rights Bill introduced by the UK Government.
Human rights must be at the core of proposals for law reform around advance choices and medical decision-making
Deficiencies in Scots law around advance choices, and medical decision-making in intensive care situations, put human rights in jeopardy, according to a Law Society of Scotland report.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month analysing and responding to proposed changes in the law to positively influence the creation of a fairer and more just society.
Tell us about your experience of remote online notarisation
We are keen to learn about our members' experience of remote online notarisation - take part in our short survey by 9 April.
Report into racial inclusion in the Scottish legal profession published
Our report into racial inclusion within the Scottish legal profession has found an increasingly diverse and progressive sector that wants to do more, but is hampered by slow progress, lack of visible minority roles models and experiences of bias.
Fundamental principles of the Scottish criminal justice system must be maintained
The Society has responded to the launch of the Scottish Government’s consultation on13 December, on Scotland’s three verdicts and other aspects of Scotland’s criminal justice system, stating that fundamental principles must be maintained in any future considerations for change.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month analysing and responding to proposed changes in the law to positively influence the creation of a fairer and more just society.
Profession holds steady against Covid
The majority of private practice firms in Scotland appear to have overcome the negative economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, our recent survey has found.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month analysing and responding to proposed changes in the law to positively influence the creation of a fairer and more just society.
UK law societies host joint conference on climate change and the law, ahead of COP26
High profile speakers will address an in-person and online audience at a conference hosted jointly by all three UK Law Societies to examine the role of the law and lawyers in tackling climate change.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month analysing and responding to proposed changes in the law to positively influence the creation of a fairer and more just society.
Diversity data offers most complete picture of profession yet
Diversity data collected for the first time as part of the annual Practising Certificate renewal process offers a valuable insight into today’s Scottish legal profession.
Call for new regulatory framework for police body cameras before increasing use
The Society has said that oversight, governance and transparency will be essential in relation to police officers wearing body cameras.
New report confirms alarm of Scottish solicitors over discharges to care homes
A report published by the Mental Welfare Commission confirms concerns previously raised by the Law Society's Mental Health and Disability Committee about the circumstances in which the transfers of vulnerable people from hospital to care homes were carried out.
Survey finds support for aspects of remote civil hearings
Findings from our recent survey of civil court practitioners have indicated that remote hearings work well for procedural and uncontentious matters, however far fewer respondents thought that more complex hearings should be carried out remotely.
Racial Inclusion Group survey
The Society's Racial Inclusion Group wants to hear the experiences of people from an ethnic minority background, who are studying/practising law. Whether you are a solicitor, solicitor advocate, trainee solicitor or law student, your feedback will help the Group consider steps it could recommend to the Society.
Any change of verdicts must be consistent with principles of Scottish justice system
As Scottish Parliament election candidates pledge to review the not proven verdict, Law Society President Amanda Millar warns that principles of Scottish criminal justice system must be maintained.