News In Focus
23 May 2008
Lawyers discuss legal profession's future
The future of Scotland’s legal profession was the focus of a major conference in Edinburgh today (Friday 23 May).
Solicitors attending the conference heard that emerging technology will challenge the traditional role of lawyers, according to the IT adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Richard Susskind.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill also told delegates that a strong and independent legal profession with appropriate regulation will ensure the public is protected.
The legal heavyweights spoke to delegates at the Law Society of Scotland’s Conference – The Legal Profession in 5 Years Time, at the Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh.
Mr MacAskill said: “The legal profession in Scotland has served us well for centuries and will continue to do so. My vision for Scotland is to have a strong, independent legal profession that is appropriately regulated to ensure the public is protected and quality is maintained.
“Scottish firms will compete internationally and businesses will choose Scotland as their destination of choice. At the same time they will continue to provide an excellent service to the communities they serve in Scotland.”
Good at adapting
Richard Henderson, the Society’s President, said: “Solicitors are extremely good at adapting to changing markets and client needs – it is at the essence of successful businesses.
“Following the debate and vote yesterday in favour of allowing alternative business structures the next few years could lead to some of the biggest changes for solicitors and the way legal services are delivered, whether on a global scale or in Scotland.
“The revolution in technology and communications, the emergence of non lawyer providers of legal services and legislative developments in England and Wales will result in change on an unprecedented scale.
“The Society will be at the heart of these reforms and will be ensuring a strong regulatory system applies to any new business structures. Likewise, core values must be protected, service quality maintained and access to justice safeguarded and consumer protection upheld.”
Richard Susskind’s forthcoming book, The End of Lawyers? Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services, claims that there is remarkable scope for solicitors to use technology to their benefit.
“The title of the book is a provocative one, however I am aiming to provoke the legal community into serious reflection and practical action.
“For some law firms, existing and emerging technologies will be adopted widely and may render them redundant. On the other hand there will also be opportunities in the future for lawyers to develop and deliver a new range of services.”
Other topics covered at the Conference includeD civil litigation, paralegals, legal education legal aid, criminal justice, the bench, conveyancing and regulation.
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) WASs the main sponsor of the Conference.