New Scottish solicitors honoured with admissions ceremony

The Scottish legal sector has welcomed 55 new solicitors to the profession at an admissions ceremony at the Signet Library in central Edinburgh.

They will now be entered on the roll of Scottish solicitors, after what’s just the second in-person ceremony held since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recently appointed Sheriff Krista Johnston was guest speaker for the event, speaking about her three-decade legal career including 15 years spent as a solicitor advocate working in criminal defence.

Law Society of Scotland President Murray Etherington presented each new solicitor with their admission certificate, assisted by Past President Ken Dalling.

Murray Etherington told those assembled: “It is a great privilege for me to congratulate you on becoming solicitors. They say great things happen when good people come together, so look around at the other people here today and consider what is possible through your collective efforts.”

“As solicitors, we provide advice and assistance to those going through some of the most important, exciting or distressing events of their lives. We help some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and through legal aid, provide access to quality legal advice and representation for everyone, regardless of financial means.

“Yet, each of us also has a vital role to play in upholding some of the key tenets of our legal system – to stand up for and defend the independence of the profession, the rule of law and access to justice.”

Law Society Chief Executive Diane McGiffen praised the new solicitors for their work getting to this point: “You’ve no doubt studied late into the night, fretted over essay deadlines, and worried about securing that all-important traineeship.

“You’ve also likely had one of the most unique training experiences that hopefully any cohort will have, because of course you were likely doing at least part of your traineeship during the pandemic.

“This will have no doubt brought many challenges and new ways of working for you, but hopefully also excellent resilience and an appreciation of how we can work creatively.”