Quarter of solicitors now work in-house

The number of solicitors opting to work in-house is continuing to rise

News, 11 November 2004

Solicitors practising in-house now account for over a quarter of the Scottish profession following an increase in their numbers for the fourth consecutive year.

An additional 242 solicitors joined their ranks last year taking the total number employed in-house to 2,311. Over the past ten years there has been a 38% increase in their numbers.

The news comes as solicitors working in-house for public service and commercial organisations from across Scotland meet in Dundee today (Thursday 11th November) for their AGM where the latest developments in public procurement, licensing law, forensic accounting and corporate governance will be discussed.

The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, will give the keynote speech at the event.

He said: "In house lawyers play a vital role who, along with solicitors and advocates in private practice, maintain the high standards of legal advice and conduct necessary for the functioning of the rule of law in modern society."

Caroline Flanagan, Vice President of the Law Society of Scotland said: "In-house lawyers are a valued segment of the Scottish solicitors profession and represent a key growth sector in Scotland's legal system. Under the excellent guidance of its Chairman Janet Hood, the Society's In-house Lawyers Group has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 1978 and continues to provide a tremendous forum for solicitors working in the public service and commerce sector. I am sure that the near future will see the Group build even further on the success it has attained and its strong reputation within the legal profession both in Scotland and further afield."