Council hears of Proposed Commission fees

Main points from Law Society of Scotland's monthly meeting

News, 2 May 2008

The budget for the new Scottish Legal Complaints Commission – and the cost to solicitors – were today confirmed to the Law Society of Scotland’s Council at its monthly meeting.

Philip Yelland, Director for Regulation, revealed the details as set out separately in the Journal Online. He said the costs were significantly higher than those suggested at the time the bill was under consideration, but solicitors would at least now have the opportunity to plan future finances. Members would continue to be kept informed of developments.

Mr Yelland warned that the Society faced a tight timescale for collecting the levy from practitioners – as it is required to do. The first invoices will be issued this month.

He added that the Commission’s draft rules had been published for consultation and would be considered by the Client Care Committee. The consultation ends on 31 May.

Strategy and standards

Council members also heard that the strategy and standards projects were progressing. A summary of work carried out by the Strategy Group was outlined and will be taken forward in the coming weeks. A draft standards questionnaire has been prepared and will be published before the Society’s annual general meeting on 22 May.

The agenda for the AGM was also agreed and arrangements were discussed for the conference on 23 May, "The Legal Profession in Five Years’ Time". For conference information, visit www.lawscot.org.uk/update .