Society looks forward to "Legal Excellence" conference

The Law Society of Scotland's flagship annual conference takes place in one week's time, on Friday 2 October, with a theme that matches the Society’s recently launched five year strategy, Leading Legal Excellence.

Topics to be considered include the consequences of leaving the European Union, Scotland’s international role in promoting the rule of law, and what judges discuss behind the scenes.

Taking place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, high-profile speakers include UK Supreme Court Justice Lord Hodge, who will look at the role of solicitors in presenting cases to the court and how Justices debate a case after they rise; Sir Jeffrey Jowell QC, founding director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law; Karl Chapman, chief executive of Riverview Law, discussing his experience of entering the market under the alternative business structure reforms south of the border; and writer and performance expert Rasmus Ankersen, highlighting issues around leadership and high performance.

President Christine McLintock said the theme reflected the ambitious new direction taken by the Society.

She explained: “Our five-year strategy, Leading Legal Excellence, aims to expand the range of services we offer to solicitors and deliver the highest possible professional standards, while growing our membership base by opening our doors to other legal professionals.

“Also in the bold new strategy, we set a mission of being a world class organisation, extending our global presence by striving to ensure that members have internationally recognised qualifications.

“The strategy has been drawn up in response to the rapid change taking place in the legal sector and marketplace. To meet the ever-changing needs of clients and employers and confront the challenges of the digital era, the legal profession – and the Society – must adapt, innovate, modernise, take risks and grasp new opportunities."

She added that the conference added “an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers and a wide range of streamed sessions".

Click here for further information.

A Journal feature interviewing three of the keynote speakers ahead of the conference can be found by clicking here.