Law Society comment on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Following her decision announced today, Wednesday, 15 February, to stand down, Nicola Sturgeon will be recognised as the longest serving First Minister since devolution.

Nicola Sturgeon, a former Scottish solicitor and member of the Law Society, took up the role in 2014 following the independence referendum.

During her tenure a number of reforms have impacted directly on the legal sector including court reforms which aimed to improve access to the civil justice system and this year we expect to see major reforms to the criminal justice sector brought forward. We also expect to see a Legal Service Regulation Reform Bill to improve on current public protections and create an environment for today’s modern, diverse legal sector to grow.

Murray Etherington, President of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “As the country’s longest serving First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s contribution to Scotland has been substantial. Her tenure saw some enormous challenges, not least the global Covid-19 pandemic. She provided a resilient, steadying, and reassuring presence for many during that time.

“As a former Scottish solicitor, she always understood the critical importance of a fair justice system and the needs for everyone to have access to that system, irrespective of their status or financial background.

“Regardless of whether you agreed with her political views, there is no doubt that Nicola Sturgeon has been an influential and respected leader both in Scotland and further afield. We wish her well and thank her for her service as she embarks on the next chapter of her career.”