Council agrees budget to freeze PC fee
5 Sep 08
The Society's Council has agreed a budget that means the practising certificate fee for 2008-09 can be held at last year's level
The Law Society of Scotland has agreed a budget that means that the practising certificate fee to be proposed at this month's Special General Meeting will be the same cost as last year.
The decision, taken after discussions at two Council meetings, recognises the difficult economic conditions facing legal firms across the country.
Richard Henderson, the Society’s President, said: “The Society continues to work hard to provide members with the best service at the lowest possible cost.
“Given the current economic situation we wanted to do all we could to ensure any increases in the practising certificate and retention fee could be kept to a minimum.
“We have looked over and again at next year’s budget and, despite considerable pressure on resources, have managed to bring forward a budget which will mean no increase in the proposed PC fee for next year. Of course, that amounts to a reduction in real terms.”
Mr Henderson explained that despite the ongoing need to provide an increased complaints handling facility over the coming year and meet other obligations, the budget had been cut in other areas to allow the real terms cut.
However, he said the quality of service provided by the Society would not be affected. He added that the Society would continue with plans to reform its own governance and management as part of a programme of modernisation.
He added: “We are determined to meet the needs of the profession and will therefore continue to provide cost-effective services across the whole range of the Society’s work.”
The Special General Meeting will be held at 2pm on 26 September in the Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh.