Society bulletin

The WS Society will hold a debate on ABS and representation of solicitors. The date will be announced shortly and is planned for before the SGM of the Law Society requisitioned by the Scottish Law Agents Society (SLAS) which it is believed will be held at the end of March. The Law Society has greeted the requisition and SLAS’ proposed motion for the AGM with dismay. Law Society President Ian Smart said:

“The Bill is likely to bring about major change in the delivery of legal services so we appreciate the desire for a debate but to try and completely reverse the Society’s position two years on from its original adoption and half way through the progress of the Scottish Parliament legislative process is not, in my opinion, a realistic way forward.”

“Instead, I would prefer to concentrate on the best way to provide clients with the legal services they need and allow solicitors from different sectors of the profession to continue to provide the client protections which are unique to the Scottish experience. I encourage all members of the profession to get involved in the debate at roadshows, the SGM and on the consultation and have their say.”

Adding to the debate, MacRoberts have expressed their concerns on the Bill:

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The SLAS motion for the SGM is as follows:

"We, the undersigned, hereby make requisition to the Law Society of Scotland in terms of Section 12 (3) of the Constitution of the Law Society of Scotland further to Section 1 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act, 1980 to convene a Special General Meeting of the Law Society of Scotland in order that we might move the Society to consider and make a resolution in the following terms:

The members of the Law Society of Scotland in general meeting find that:

It is essential in the public interest in the retention of an independent legal profession that the ownership of any business authorised to carry out work which is reserved to persons qualified to practise as solicitors in terms of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act, 1980, should be vested in persons to qualified, and call upon the Scottish Parliament to set out and maintain that position in the
statutes and regulations of the Scottish Parliament and, in particular, to amend the terms of the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill, presently before Parliament to that effect."