AGM report
by Peter NicholsonSummary of proceedings at the 2006 AGM of the Society
The Journal, April 2006, page 40
The past year has been an exceptionally busy one, said President Caroline Flanagan, delivering her report on behalf of Council.
Quite apart from the regulation debate, she mentioned among the other main features of the year:
- the withdrawal of the table of fees – which did not now appear, she said, to have had any anti-competitive effect in practice – and the introduction of letters of engagement ;
- the review of legal aid, on which the Society now had two committees in order to focus on solicitors’ direct interest as well as the public interest, and in which she feared the continued underfunding “will erode access to justice and ultimately democracy”;
- the research into women in the profession, which had produced a “staggering response” and very useful information through which the Society could promote change;
- and the appointment of non-solicitor observers to Council, to become full members when the necessary powers were conferred.
On the Legal Profession Bill, the President highlighted the constant pressure that Douglas Mill, Michael Clancy and Philip Yelland had been under during the consultation process and since, while pointing out that the efficiency of the present system had continued to improve. She regretted the apparent lack of a strategic plan on the part of the Executive, warning that with the bill in its present form, the viability and independence of the profession were at stake. “I believe that the profession will survive in some form”, she said, while warning that some firms that now provide an essential service will become unsustainable, leading to “advice deserts” emerging.
The other main theme of her presidency, communication, had seen the Society’s list of members’ email addresses grow to 8,000, with only one respondent claiming that he was fighting a “losing rearguard action” against sending information this way. Visits to local faculties and the bigger firms have been a valuable means of exchanging views.
“I have been exceptionally lucky in my year in office”, she concluded. “It has been a very exciting and a very challenging time.”
Current Issue FeaturesBraving the stormHow different types of legal firm are coping with the current economic downturn, and how they see their future Civil justice: where next?An abridged version of the keynote address delivered to the conference on civil justice held in Edinburgh on 20 June Title Conditions Act: new registration proceduresNew procedures are in place for deeds intended to create new real burdens, to assist solicitors in complying with the requirement for dual registration Young lawyers rebornInterview with Scottish Young Lawyers Association President Maryam Labaki on SYLA's ambitions as it relaunches Shining some more light...Second part of overview of this year's Finance Act looks at the provisions on savings, pensions, residence/domicile and business taxes, among others Power to the tribunal?An advocate's and a solicitor's views of how the Scottish Government's proposed reforms to arbitration law might work in practice Piece by pieceA progress report from England & Wales on the setting up of the complex regulatory machinery under the Legal Services Act 2007 The poor in our midstInterview with Scottish Solicitors' Benevolent Fund convener Craig Bennet, who aims to raise awareness of the Fund so it can provide more help to those in need Current Issue ArticlesShifting sandsPresident's message: with economic issues dominating the profession's thoughts, the Society is taking steps to provide advice and support to those in need A rank bad ruleOpinion by two advocates that the Faculty's response to the OFT does its members a disservice by defending the cab rank rule and by resisting the use of ABS The Society's future role in complaints handlingA reminder, in the light of reactions to the first levy issued on behalf of the new Complaints Commission, of when and how the Society's responsibilities are changing Appreciation: Lord JohnstonReport of the tribute paid in court by the Lord President Professional Practice CommitteeNew guidelines on acting as a company director; and document control and file tracking Facing the lean yearsSome advice on how to pull through a recession and be ready for the next upturn, as word goes round of legal firms looking at staff cuts and other measures (part 1 of 2) It's a web 2.0 worldThe interactive nature of web 2.0 technology presents business opportunities, while posing new risks for those with inadequate precautions as to employee internet use Questions, questionsIn reviewing their risk profiles and risk controls, all firms might benefit from conducting a self-assessment by addressing questions put by some insurers elsewhere Bare necessitiesLatest criminal cases, including offensive weapons; Moorov rule; withdrawal of representation; evidence of a deceased; contempt of court by solicitor Coming on the blind sideA technical-sounding consultation, currently open for comments, covers some significant aspects of dispute resolution in employment Relocation, relocationA recent decision explores the matters to consider when one parent wants to relocate abroad along with their child Worse than the disease?Has the UK quietly outlawed "alternative" medicine through the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations? Sleeping bountyThe Scottish Community Foundation has a scheme to breathe new life into dormant charitable trusts Scottish Solicitors' Discipline TribunalReports relating to Eileen Agnes Coogans; Zosia Marion Elizabeth Fraser; Annaline Webster; Ian Samuel Gerard Donnelly; Mark David Sheppard Website reviewsReviews of sites of organisations concerned with domain name disputes Book reviewsReview of Child and Family Law (Sutherland) Industry standardA survey south of the border suggests that in-house work in commerce and industry doesn't always match expectations - but most in-house lawyers expect to stay Meet the committeeProfile of In-house Lawyers Group committee member Sara Scott What's in a motto?A sample of In-house Lawyers Group members' notarial mottoes, collected by ILG secretary Tricia Sim Leasing by example"Green leases" appear to be some way off yet for the UK, but a Canadian model now published shows how they might work Good call?Reply to article questioning the Donald Trump planning application call-in argues that the decision is both competent and consistent with proper operation of the system Home reports - the practice questionsOpen letter over reservations as to the Society's proposed guidelines on the operation of home reports, in so far as they deal with conflict of interest |