News In Focus
5 March 2010
Society to hold referendum on legal services reform
The Law Society of Scotland is to hold a referendum of its entire membership on whether it should support legal services reforms as proposed under the Scottish Government's Legal Services (Scotland) Bill.
The Society's Council decided on the move today as it met to discuss the Special General Meeting requisitioned by the Scottish Law Agents Society, which seeks to reverse the Society's current policy of support for the bill further to a decision of its 2008 Annual General Meeting.
The referendum will be conducted through the Electoral Reform Service to ensure an impartial approach.
Society President Ian Smart said: “The Council was conscious that the critics of [the 2008] decision continued to claim that the vote was not representative of the profession. The Council decided that another general meeting would not resolve the issue and concluded that a referendum of all members will confirm that the 2008 vote reflected the clear majority view of the profession.
“Discussions will take place with the Scottish Law Agents Society about the referendum and the consequences for the SGM. We will now work on the arrangements for the referendum, including the wording of any questions. It is expected that the process will be completed within a month. We will keep members informed of developments.
“In the meantime, the Society will continue to promote amendments to the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill to ensure the independence of the legal profession and maintain the high standards which have historically served both the client and the profession so well.”
Article 24 of the Society’s constitution allows the Council to call a referendum.
The Special General Meeting is due to be held on 25 March at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. The papers for the meeting are due to be sent to members on Monday 8 March.