Article
13 November 06
Appointment to Society committees
The Law Society of Scotland has agreed a new corporate governance procedure for the appointment of members to its committees
Are you interested in contributing to the work of a number of the committees of the Law Society of Scotland?
The Society’s Council earlier this year agreed a new corporate governance procedure for the appointment of solicitor members to committees. This new procedure will be rolled out over a three year period starting from committee year 2007-08, which runs from 1 June 2007 to 31 May 2008.
The first tranche of committees which will be subject to this new procedure, for appointment of solicitor and non-solicitor members, are:
1. Admissions Committee. This committee deals with matters relating to the training and admission of solicitors which are governed by the Admissions Regulations.
2. Audit Committee. This committee reviews the financial procedures of the Society.
3. Conveyancing and Executry Practitioners Committee. This committee deals with the regulatory regime for licensed conveyancing and executry practitioners.
4. Guarantee Fund Committee. This committee carries out the Society’s statutory Guarantee Fund obligations by considering claims on the fund and monitoring the Society’s inspection of firms and sanctioning whatever action may be necessary in accordance with the Accounts Rules.
5. Insolvency Solicitors Adjudication Committee. This committee deals with the issue of insolvency licences under the Insolvency Act 1986.
6. Insurance Committee. This committee deals with the principles of the Master Policy arrangements for professional indemnity insurance for solicitors in private practice.
7. Investor Protection Committee. This committee deals with the Society’s Incidental Financial Business regime and the Society’s relationship with the Financial Services Authority, particularly with reference to those firms licensed by the FSA for mainstream investment business.
8. Practising Certificate Committee. This committee deals with particular applications for practising certificates under ss 15 and 19 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980.
9. Professional Practice Committee. This committee deals with guidance on ethics, conduct and practice to solicitors in Scotland, both in the form of practice rules and guidelines.
10. Rights of Audience Committee. This committee deals with the granting (or not) of the rights of audience.
The work of a committee member involves reading the committee papers and attending the committee meetings, which are held in the Society’s offices in Edinburgh – generally once a month on the first Thursday of each month. Membership of a committee is unpaid, but all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. Appointments will initially be for a three year period commencing 1 June 2007.
As all of the above committees are regulatory in nature, applicants should have an interest in the regulatory regime for Scottish solicitors. Previous experience of committee work in either the private or public sector would also be advantageous.
An application form for appointment can be obtained from the Society’s website – www.lawscot.org.uk, by emailing carolnightingale@lawscot.org.uk, or by writing to David Cullen, Registrar, Law Society of Scotland, 26 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7YR (Legal Post LP – 1, Edinburgh – 1).
The deadline for the submission of application forms to the Registrar is 31 December 2006..