Law Society news
Complaints reform “a significant and positive step forward”
The Scottish Government has published a new consultation to improve the current 'complicated and cumbersome' legal complaints system.
Response to legal aid fee increase
Law Society President Amanda Millar responds to the Scottish Government's announcement of a 10% increase in legal aid fees across the board over the next two years.
Wrong to target high street law firms with economic crime levy
The Law Society of Scotland has said that small, high street law firms should not be hit with an additional economic crime levy.
New mortgage chief for Aberdein Considine
Greig Brown heads up business across 19 offices
Climate change and the Scottish legal profession
Our COP26 and climate change working group surveyed members about what the profession thinks are the key climate change issues.
Workloads increasing but law firm finances yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels
Our recent survey highlights that while workloads for Scottish legal firms have increased since the early part of lockdown, turnover has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
Social media updated guidance
The Technology Law and Practice Committee has developed a refreshed set of tips and tricks to help you gain the most out of social media opportunities, while at the same time helping keep you cyber-secure, navigating the safer online path, and avoiding the hidden social media platform pitfalls. As an introduction, check out their golden rules of thumb to avoid potentially serious issues, embrace a clear online strategy, and benefit from social media as a legal professional.
First fully virtual Dewar Debate kicks off
The first fully virtual Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament, organised by the Law Society of Scotland, has kicked off, with pupils from across Scotland taking part online in the opening round of the contest.
Public policy highlights November 2020
Recent areas of work for our policy committees have included the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill, UK Internal Market Bill and responding to consultations on artificial intelligence and Capital Gains Tax. We have also responded to a survey on coronavirus guidance in the context of criminal law.
FinTech Scotland, ScotlandIS and LawscotTech to build strong digital economy through collaborative clusters initiative
FinTech Scotland, ScotlandIS and LawscotTech are to take a collaborative cluster approach to building strong digital economy in Scotland
Court protests show ‘clear and understandable’ frustration among solicitors
Commenting on today’s protest action by court solicitors, President of the Law Society of Scotland, Amanda Millar said, “The frustration being felt by the profession across Scotland is clear and completely understandable. Over recent days, I have seen some legal aid solicitors in tears, fearful of the future and angry at a system which does not seem to care.
Murray Etherington sole nominee to become Law Society President in 2022
Dundee-based solicitor Murray Etherington has been nominated as a future President of the Law Society of Scotland at today's meeting of the Council.
Law Society welcomes further amendments planned for Hate Crime Bill
The Society has welcomed plans for Stage 2 amendments to Hate Crime Bill
Evidence required to show lockdown hospital discharges were lawful
We have called on the Scottish Government to release data showing the legal basis for moving hospital patients to care homes at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, due to the lack of information in a recent Public Health Scotland report.
Fraud alert - fraudulent SRA email
We have been made aware of Scottish solicitors recently receiving emails fraudulently claiming to be from the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
Scam alert - cloned emails
Our members must continue to be vigilant with reports of scammers continuing to target the profession, with a recent scam reported to us involving cloning emails.
Importance of rule of law as House of Lords debates UK Internal Market Bill
As the House of Lords debates sections of the Bill which contain provisions which will be inconsistent or incompatible with international or other domestic law, Law Society President Amanda Millar restates the impact a breach would have on the UK's reputation.
Price transparency guidance to come into effect in January 2021
Guidance for Scottish solicitors on publishing pricing aims to help consumers better understand the cost of legal advice and services is due to come into effect in January 2021.
Continuing to lead legal excellence in challenging times
We have today published our new strategy setting out our plan to sustain and evolve the Law Society and the Scottish legal profession over the next two years.
Law Society of Scotland calls for action to reform crofting law
We have published recommendations in relation to the law of crofting and urged the Scottish Government to take prompt action to reform the law.
Law Society opposes plans for economic crime levy on solicitors
The Society has opposed proposals to introduce a UK-wide anti-money laundering levy on solicitors.
Public policy highlights September 2020
The Society’s policy committees analyse and respond to proposed changes in the law. Key areas of work in September include a particular focus on Covid-19 and trade.
AML Certificate results 2019
Our Anti-Money Laundering Risk Manager, Fraser Sinclair provides an update on the key insights and analysis from the data you provided in this year's AML Certificate.