Society recognised for new lawyer support work

Support for actual and potential entrants to the legal profession has won a UK award for the Law Society of Scotland.

Heather McKendrick, the Society's careers and outreach manager, was presented with the award for Best Practice in Career Development Services by an Employer at the UK Career Development Awards at a ceremony in Glasgow yesterday evening.

Organised by the Career Development Institute, the awards celebrate excellence in career development.

The Society's chief executive, Lorna Jack commented: “I’m delighted that the Law Society has been recognised for the work it does to support solicitors at the start of their career – from school pupils thinking about studying law right through to qualification and beyond. Becoming a solicitor takes a great deal of effort and dedication and it’s essential that we, as their professional body, provide the right kind of support to allow our newest members to progress in their chosen career.

“The team at the Law Society works very hard to deliver a support programme for new lawyers, including our well known schools debating tournament, now in its 15th year, specialist continuous professional development and a highly successful mentoring programme for new lawyers who can benefit from guidance offered by solicitors with a great deal of experience.”

• The opening rounds of this year's schools debating tournament, on the motion "This house believes the UK should leave the EU", take place on 20, 26 November and 4 December and solicitors, or those with experience of debating, can get involved if they are interested in acting as a judge at the opening and regional heats. Further information about judging in the tournament can be found by clickiing here.