News In Focus
8 November 2007
Affiliate Writers welcomed to the Signet
Lord Mackay of Clashfern, the Keeper of the Signet, has welcomed the first Affiliate Writers to the Signet as the long-established legal society broadens its membership categories.
Until now membership of the WS Society has been restricted to those who have been qualified for more than three years, but under the new rules of admission, trainees and those who have been qualified for less than three years can join as affiliates.
WS Society chief executive Robert Pirrie said: "Our new rules allow younger lawyers to join the Society and their influence is important for the future.
“We also welcome changing demographics among lawyers – for example, far more women are lawyers now than ever before – and younger lawyers are taking on more responsibility than ever before.”
One of those joining was Maryam Labaki, president of the Scottish Young Lawyers Association. Ms Labaki said: "It was a real pleasure to be welcomed as a young lawyer into Scotland's legal tradition in the shape of the WS Society.
"The ceremony brought home the importance of continuity between our distinctive legal history and our modern face in today's fast changing market."