Conference delivers thought provoking views
28 Sep 07
Law Society says conference views will help development of future legal services
"Thought-provoking views on the potential outcomes of change", was how the Law Society of Scotland's president summed up today's major conference on the future of legal services.
The event took place at Edinburgh's National Galleries and the Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill took part in the debate on whether the legal services market should be opened up to other providers such as banks or supermarkets, or the rules governing how law firms be relaxed.
Also speaking at the event were Jonathan Goldsmith, chief executive of CCBE, the Council of Bars and Law Societies in Europe, and Sean Williams, executive director for markets & projects at the Office of Fair Trading.
Richard Henderson, president of the Law Society, said: "Today's conference on the future of legal services is one of the most important points in Scotland's legal history and we have heard a number of thought-provoking views on the potential outcomes of change.
"The legal services market has expanded hugely in the past 20 years and we want to develop an environment in which Scots Law and Scottish legal practice can continue to thrive, not just in Scotland but also in the international market in which many operate, while ensuring that the Scottish public can access sound legal advice on a local level.
"Today's discussions and the results from our consultation will help us formulate a policy on how legal services should be developed in Scotland for the future."