Accredited Paralegal blog: March 2019

Hello, from wet and windy Glasgow. At the time of writing I am at the Central Law Training Scots Law Conference both exhibiting and as a delegate. 

I do love this part of my job, getting to meet accredited paralegals, solicitors and paralegals who aren’t accredited… Yet! I enjoy getting out on the road, hearing your stories, offering advice and assistance and just generally flying the flag for the Accredited Paralegal Status.

For me, one of the highlights of this year’s conference was the opportunity to hear Jennifer Henderson, speak. As Keeper of the Register of Scotland, she is an inspirational figure in the world of conveyancing and is clearly driven to make a positive impact, both for conveyancers and in equality and diversity terms. 

I have heard Jennifer speak on a number of occasions since she took on the keeper role, and this time I was interested to hear her focus more on her personal and professional journey to date and how she plans to move forward.

Jennifer’s content and approach was particularly thought-provoking in the immediate wake of International Women’s Day (#IWD19)which this year caused quite a stir both at the Law Society’s Edinburgh office and online with #WomenInLaw across the UK sharing their perspectives and faces on this important day.

I say ‘faces’ because this year also marked 100 years since the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 which paved the way for women to become lawyers for the first time.  To mark both this and International Women’s Day, the Law Society took part in the First 100 Years a UK-wide project in which over 800 #WomenInLaw had their photos taken in Edinburgh, Belfast, London and Cardiff. Their pictures will be brought together as part of a visual celebration of the First 100 Years of women in law. I myself smiled for the camera. Keep your eye on our website, the First100years website and social media for more info on this. #100Faces100Years

But back to #IWD19. This year’s theme was #BalanceforBetter.  In the course of my career, I have seen many positive changes in terms of gender equality in the legal world. 

• Women now make up 52% of the total solicitor population in Scotland
  30% of partners in Scottish private practices are women – that’s an increase of 5% in the last year
• Our 2018 Profile of the Profession reported a gender pay gap of 23% in the Scottish legal profession – that’s down from 42% in 2013.
• And on the flip side and in terms of true gender equality, have seen far more male paralegals emerging from the shadows and claiming this as their chosen career.
• Of the 592 solicitors accredited as specialists by the Law Society of Scotland Accredited Specialists 43% are male.

And while we’re looking at the numbers,

• Our 2018 Annual Members Survey revealed that 89% of our members agree that our Accredited Paralegal scheme provides quality standard for paralegals!

 Now that’s a number to be proud of!