Comment on judges response to Regulation of Legal Services Bill

Scotland’s most senior judges have issued a robust response today, 9 August 2023, on the dangers of proposals from the Scottish Government in the Regulation of Legal Services Bill, which would allow unprecedented powers to intervene in the regulation of the legal profession.

President of the Law Society of Scotland Sheila Webster said: “Scotland’s most senior judges are unanimous in their view that proposals to allow Scottish Ministers to intervene directly in the regulation of the legal profession, threaten the independence of both the profession and Scotland’s judiciary.

“They have expressed deep concern, that we share, about the impact of the Bill not just at home but around the globe, stating in their response that if the Bill is passed in its current form, Scotland would be viewed internationally as a country whose legal system is open to abuse.

“There is much in the Bill which would bring improvement, but these proposals are wrong and dangerous, and must be dropped.”