News In Focus
23 May 2008
Backing for plans to open up legal services market
Solicitors have supported proposals which could see the Scottish legal services market opened up.
There was backing at a special debate during the Law Society of Scotland's annual general meeting yesterday for the introduction of alternative business structures for law firms, which could lead to external ownership or capital for law firms, partnerships between solicitors and non solicitors or organisations such as banks or supermarkets providing legal services.
Richard Henderson, president of the Society, said: “This is a historic decision. The profession has been asked by the Scottish Government to decide on its future direction and I think that we have risen to that challenge today by voting in favour of change.
“There has been a great deal of thought and discussion surrounding alternative business structures. The Society’s council consulted the profession and it was apparent from the responses that there was an appetite for change within the legal profession.
He added: “This is only the first step in what will be a lengthy journey. The Society will continue to work closely with its members from across all sectors of the profession, the government and other stakeholders to ensure that any future reforms will benefit those who require legal services and that access to justice remains central. A crucial part of developing successful and workable new policies will be to ensure that those providing legal services are properly regulated and work to the professional standards expected of them.”
The AGM also included a presentation on the current review of solicitors’ education and training and an update on how the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is developing.
Solicitor Ranald Lindsay, convener of the Society’s Access to Justice Committee, commented on the current underfunding of civil legal aid before the close of the AGM.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is expected to make an announcement about improvements to civil Legal Aid at the Society’s conference today, Friday 23 May.