Legal sector celebrates new year with newly admitted solicitors
Scotland’s legal sector has made a strong start to 2025, with 103 new solicitors formally welcomed to the profession in central Edinburgh yesterday.
Law Society of Scotland President Susan Murray presented certificates of enrolment at two ceremonies in the Signet Library, with the number close to the largest ever admissions day record set in November 2024.
Susan Murray said: “What a fantastic way to start the new year! Congratulations to our newest members of the profession on their hard work and dedication in getting to this important milestone.
“Our first admissions of 2025 continue the unprecedented growth of Scotland’s legal sector in recent years, and I look forward to seeing how Scotland’s newest solicitors leave a positive mark on our profession.”
Law Society of Scotland Chief Executive Diane McGiffen said: “I am delighted to be able to start 2025 by welcoming new solicitors to the profession, and celebrating this moment along with their family, friends and supporters.
“To our new members, you should be very proud of your achievements and I wish you all the best for your future careers. The Law Society will continue to support you as you contribute to Scotland’s thriving legal sector.”
Guest speaker for the dual ceremonies, Christine O’Neill KC, Partner and Chairman at Brodies LLP, told the new solicitors they should be proud to join a profession with high standards and shared values: "What a privilege to do a job that is regarded by society as being so important that the people who do it must act with honesty and integrity.
“You have to be competent and diligent, you have to put your client's interests before your own or those of your firm, and you must treat other solicitors with mutual respect and trust. Those are rare and valuable qualities and they are the things that mean we have something in common."
