Law Society news
New rule proposals aim to improve consumer protections on trusts
Proposals for new Law Society of Scotland rules will increase protections for people who have set up trusts with solicitors. The new rules will be considered by members at the Law Society’s annual general meeting in June.
Ben Kemp appointed to become Law Society of Scotland CEO
General Counsel, Executive Director and dual-qualified solicitor Ben Kemp has been appointed to become the new Chief Executive Officer of the Law Society of Scotland.
Legal questions matter as MSPs consider assisted dying proposals
The Law Society of Scotland has urged MSPs to consider a number of important technical legal matters, separate from the moral and ethical questions in relation to proposed assisted dying legislation.
Holyrood inquiry warned of looming ‘cliff edge’ for civil legal aid
The Law Society of Scotland has warned a Holyrood inquiry of a looming ‘cliff edge’ for legal aid provision, with action urgently needed to ensure access to justice.
Sheriff Principal defends judicial independence in Law Society annual dinner address
Sheriff Principal Aisha Anwar KC (Hon) delivered a powerful address as she spoke of her career and the motivation to be part of the justice system from childhood, at the prestigious Law Society's annual dinner on Friday, 27 April.
Two stars shine as 2025’s In-house Rising Stars revealed
An early career solicitor at a global travel company and a trainee specialising in intellectual property and data protection have been crowned the Law Society of Scotland’s In-house Rising Stars.
Law Society reminds MSPs of duty to judicial independence
Law Society of Scotland President Susan Murray has written to remind Members of the Scottish Parliament of their moral and legal obligation to uphold the independence of the judiciary.
New Scottish solicitors given ceremonial welcome to profession
The Law Society of Scotland has formally welcomed 71 new solicitors to the profession at an admissions ceremony in central Edinburgh.
Trainee solicitors supported with increase in recommended pay
The Law Society of Scotland has increased its recommend minimum pay for trainee solicitors, in response to economy-wide wages growth and inflationary pressures.
AML guidance for legal sector updated
The Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) has updated its HM Treasury-approved anti-money laundering (AML) compliance guidance for the legal sector.
Kevin Lang to take up interim CEO role at Law Society
The Society's Executive Director of Externals Relations will take up post as interim chief executive when current CEO Diane McGiffen steps down on Monday 28 April.
MSPs told of hard times for justice as legal aid deserts grow
Legal aid deserts continue to grow as solicitors working on civil matters abandon the system, the Law Society of Scotland has warned a parliamentary inquiry.
Law Society members reach new career heights
A select number of the Law Society of Scotland's members have achieved new heights in their careers as they have been accredited in their chosen fields.
New partnership bolsters Law Society sustainability commitment
The Law Society of Scotland has furthered its commitment to sustainability by partnering with the global climate network, the Legal Sustainability Alliance (LSA).
Nominations to join Law Society Council open
Nominations are now open to join the Law Society's governing Council to represent solicitors across Scotland.
Law Society Council backs international calls for US government to respect rule of law
The Law Society’s governing Council, which met on Friday, 28 March, has unanimously agreed to support calls for the US government to respect the rule of law and ensure that legal professionals can carry out their work without government interference.
Admissions ceremony welcomes 46 new Scottish solicitors
Forty-six new Scottish solicitors have been formally welcomed to the profession at an admissions ceremony held at the Signet Library in central Edinburgh.
Spring celebrations for newly accredited Law Society members
Spring celebrations are in order for our solicitors and paralegals who have received recognition in their chosen area of practice.
Law Society to highlight civil legal aid crisis at Holyrood inquiry
The Law Society of Scotland will ensure a newly launched Holyrood inquiry understands the extent of the crisis in civil legal aid, and the changes required to restore the system.
Celebrations at first banking and finance paralegal accreditation
A senior paralegal in Edinburgh has become the first person to receive the Law Society of Scotland’s new paralegal accreditation in banking and finance.
Online teaching motion decides school debate finalists
A hotly contested debate on the rise of online teaching has sent four schools from across Scotland to the final of this year’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament.
Social media debate decides Donald Dewar semi-finalists
Semi-final teams are preparing for the penultimate stage of this year’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating tournament next week, after debating the merits of social media verification.
Scottish Government’s legal aid plans fail to reflect urgency of crisis
The Law Society of Scotland says newly announced plans for legal aid fail to reflect the urgency and scale of the crisis in access to justice.
The Scottish Government has today released a legal aid discussion paper alongside plans to reduce the administrative burden of legal aid, but has remained silent on the key issue of inadequate fees driving solicitors to exit and putting the system into crisis.
Double solicitor admissions ceremony sets new record
Scotland’s legal sector has set a new record as more than 140 new solicitors were formally welcomed to the profession in central Edinburgh yesterday.