Law Society news
Overcoming initial nerves to thrive during your diploma
Sarah Beattie, a student at the University of Dundee, explains how she got to grips with the challenge of tackling the diploma in professional legal practice.
International Human Rights Day 2016 - Blog
We speak to Professor Alan Miller, Special Envoy of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, on International Human Rights Day 2016
Law Society commences legal action against SLCC on ‘hybrid’ legal complaints
The Society has taken action to seek clarity on how certain types of legal complaints should be handled
School pupils storm through to debating tournament next round
School pupils from across Scotland successfully debated the pros and cons of holding referendums to win through to the next stage of the Law Society of Scotland’s national debating tournament.
December 2016 Lawscot News
Read the latest news from the Scottish legal profession in our December 2016 Lawscot News
Law reform round up December 2016
Proposed Football Act (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill, the impacts of Brexit on Justice and Security and the Future of Forestry in Scotland and more.
Routine improvement to our website
Due to routine improvement work to our website, some of our online services will be unavailable temporarily between 1pm on Thursday 15 December and 10am on Monday 19 December 2016.
Society past president elected to head CCBE
Ruthven Gemmell has been elected as president of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe
Smartcard honoured at new cyber awards
The Law Society of Scotland picked up the Leading Light Innovation award at the recently-held inaugural Scottish Cyber Awards in Edinburgh.
Law Society welcomes plan to improve the lives of disabled people
The Law Society of Scotland has praised the Scottish Government for taking a ‘ground breaking’ approach in its new plan, ‘A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People’.
Courts need to prepare for proposed domestic abuse reforms
The Law Society of Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s proposed criminal procedure reforms for the introduction of a new domestic abuse offence and warned that the courts may have to anticipate the need for additional resources.
Law Society criticises drop in legal aid spending
The Society has responded to the publication of the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s annual report which shows a drop in legal aid spending.
Professional Practice Updates - December 2016
In light of recent reported cases, we would like to remind members that we have guidance on the terms of Rule B1.5, Proper Instructions, namely that a member must be satisfied when taking instructions from a client that the client does in fact have capacity to give instructions in relation to that matter.
Trainee blog - Emily Callaghan
Emily is a first-year trainee from Brodies LLP. Her first seat is in the Commercial Services Division. Emily obtained her LLB and Diploma from the University of Dundee.
NQ blog - December 2016: Five tips for a successful transition from trainee to NQ
John Brannigan studied at the University of Glasgow and completed his traineeship at Gallen & Co Solicitors.
The UK should maintain links with Europe's police
The Society has responded to the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee's Inquiry on the future of EU-UK security and police co-operation
New anti-money laundering risk assessment form available to firms
As part of our ongoing work to refresh the anti-money laundering (AML) resources we make available to the profession, we have recently added an example ‘AML Risk Assessment Form’, which can be downloaded and used by member firms.
Graham Matthews nominated to be next Law Society President
Nominations for vice president-elect announced
Law Society launches Christmas charity campaign
The Law Society of Scotland has launched a Christmas campaign for its new charity, the Lawscot Foundation, today, Thursday 24 November.
Law Society members survey
Each year the Law Society works with Ipsos MORI to carry out research with our members. The 2016 research commences on Monday 28 November 2016.
How to manage stress at exam time
Katy Forrest, a third year LLB student at the University of Stirling, discusses various techniques law students can use to deal with stress.
SLCC annual report shows rise in complaints
The Law Society comments on the figures from the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission annual report for 2015-16
What it’s like to do an in-house traineeship
Gavin Smith, a first year trainee at Standard Life, explains some of the different features of an in-house traineeship.