Law Society news
New Scottish Law Commissioner
The President of the Law Society of Scotland has congratulated Ann Stewart on her appointment to the Scottish Law Commission.
Michael Clancy awarded RSE fellowship
Law Society of Scotland Director of Law Reform, Michael Clancy OBE WS, has been honoured as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Proposed conversion practices legislation ‘is too broad’
Proposed legislation to prohibit conversion practices in Scotland may criminalise legitimate behaviour unless a more precise approach is taken, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
Law Society seeks nominations for new Council members
Nominations are now open to join the Law Society of Scotland’s decision-making body to represent solicitors across the UK.
MSP’s report shows juryless rape trials plan divisive and flawed
A parliamentary report shows the Scottish Government’s plans for juryless rapes trials are divisive and flawed, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
New solicitor advocates granted extended rights of audience
The Law Society of Scotland granted extended rights of audience to two new solicitor advocates at a ceremony held at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Monday 25 March.
Employment tribunal fees will cause access to justice issues
Reintroduction of fees in Employment Tribunals will cause unacceptable access to justice issues for those most in need of free legal protections.
National Crime Agency to create law sector SARs forum
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is to create a legal sector suspicious activity reporting working group to help further engagement from legal professionals across the UK.
SLCC focus on core duties welcomed, but efficiencies must be delivered
The Law Society has urged the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to deliver efficiencies to minimise cost increases on solicitors in its response to the organisation’s draft budget and operating plan for 2024-25.
Judicial factors reform a step forward but refinement still needed
New legislation to reform judicial factors is a step in the right direction but could be further improved to ensure clarity, accessibility and efficiency, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
Legal sector welcomes 64 solicitors in 2024’s first admissions ceremony
Sixty-four solicitors have been formally welcomed to the profession, in the Law Society of Scotland’s first admissions ceremony of 2024.
Law Society hosts roundtable to discuss Scottish criminal justice reform bill
We hosted a roundtable of key stakeholders to discuss the Scottish Government’s Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill on Friday, 8 March 2024. Attendees included solicitors and advocates along with MSPs, academics, and victims’, women’s and human rights groups.
Survey confirms solicitors’ alarm at Scottish Government’s legal regulation plans
Our latest annual members survey has confirmed the depth of concern at the Scottish Government’s proposal to give itself powers to control the regulation of the legal sector.
New logo reflects modern, dynamic, inclusive and sustainable legal sector
The Law Society of Scotland has unveiled a new logo reflecting its central role in Scotland’s modern, dynamic, inclusive and sustainable legal sector.
Legal regulation bill passes first hurdle but chance to make public protection even stronger remains
New laws on regulating the Scottish legal sector can be strengthened further to better protect the public, the Law Society of Scotland has said.
Law Society accredited as a Leader in Diversity
We have been accredited as a Leader in Diversity, recognising our achievements and commitment to lead workplace best practice in Scotland.
Cross-party report shows government wrong to try to politically control legal profession
A new report from a cross-party committee of MSPs has shown how Scottish Government plans to try and control the way the legal profession operates were wrong and risked undermining the rule of law.
Paying tribute to Professor Philip Love CBE
Our President Sheila Webster has offered her deepest condolences to family, friends and former colleagues of Professor Philip Love, CBE, who was president of the Law Society of Scotland in 1981-1982.
AML: Changes to domestic PEPs
Domestic politically exposed persons (PEPs) can now be considered inherently lower risk than non-domestic PEPs, following recent changes to money laundering regulations by the UK government.
HM Treasury money laundering advisory notice: High-risk third countries
HM Treasury has released an advisory notice amending the definition of High-Risk Third Countries (HRTC).
Nine solicitor advocates welcomed in third ceremony in a week
The Law Society of Scotland granted extended rights of audience to nine new solicitor advocates yesterday, joining the 16 who were introduced last week.
MSPs warned of unacceptable danger posed by juryless rape trials
Law Society President Sheila Webster has appeared before the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee to provide evidence on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, alongside the Society’s Head of Research Alan McCreadie.
16 solicitor advocates celebrated in back-to-back ceremonies
The Law Society of Scotland has granted 16 new solicitor advocates extended rights of audience at back-to-back ceremonies at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
Justice not served as legal aid ignored again in Scottish Budget
The Scottish Government’s 2024-25 Budget continues its distorted and shortsighted approach to criminal justice, according to the Law Society of Scotland.