Aspiring members of Law Society Council could shape the future of the profession

2nd April 2015 | Law Society news

Nominations are now open for solicitors hoping to join the Law Society of Scotland’s decision making body.

Becoming a member of the Society’s Council provides an opportunity to help represent and support solicitors in their area, as well as contributing to the work of the Society and influencing key decisions.

Alistair Morris, President of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “I speak from my own experience when I say that being a council member can be fulfilling, fascinating, challenging and insightful. It is a great opportunity to help lead and support Scotland’s solicitors as well as a chance to form relationships with their colleagues from different parts of the country. I would recommend joining the Council to any solicitor who wants to help shape the future of the legal profession.”

This year there are 10 seats available in six constituencies and solicitors working in those areas can nominate themselves for election:

  •  Dingwall, Dornoch, Elgin, Inverness, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Lochmaddy, Portree, Stornoway, Tain & Wick – 2 Council seats
  •  Duns, Haddington, Jedburgh, Peebles & Selkirk  - 2 Council seats
  •  Campbeltown, Dumbarton, Dunoon, Fort William, Oban & Rothesay – 2 Council seats
  •  Arbroath, Dundee & Forfar – 1 Council seat
  •  Alloa, Falkirk, Linlithgow & Stirling – 2 Council seats
  •  England & Wales – 1 Council seat

Nominations for the 2015 Council elections are open from 12 noon, 2 April – 23 April. Successful candidates will be appointed as Council members on 21 May, before this year’s annual general meeting on Thursday, 28 May.

More information about the application process and what’s involved in being a Council member can be found on the Law Society’s website at www.lawscot.org.uk/join-our-council.

The Society has produced a short video featuring current Council members talking about what they have found valuable about their experiences of sitting on Council and why they think others should consider joining.

ENDS                                                                                      2 APRIL 2015

Notes to editor:

The Council is the Law Society's decision-making body. It has 39 members elected from geographical constituencies, up to nine co-opted members representing other interest groups and nine non-solicitor members.

Nominees must be a member of the Society and be supported by two proposers, who must be either practising or non-practising members of the Society. The 2015 year appointment, which starts on 21 May 2015, involves regularly attending Council meetings in Edinburgh and representing the views of solicitors in a constituency.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Journalists can contact Sarah Sutton on 0131 476 8170 sarahsutton@lawscot.org.uk

More information, as well as the nomination forms, can be found at www.lawscot.org.uk/join-our-council.