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Scottish Solicitors to deliver verdict on future of profession
AGM to debate 'Tesco law' plans
Solicitors are being asked to carefully consider a new policy paper on the future direction of the legal profession in Scotland.
The draft paper will go before the Law Society of Scotland's AGM next month in a debate which could be a crucial step in radically altering the legal landscape of the country.
Thousands of members of the Society will receive the document and are being urged to make their voices heard at the meeting.
An entire afternoon has been cleared at the AGM for a discussion on proposals about alternative business structures.
Aconsultation process saw a huge response from solicitors keen to share their views on the so-called Tesco law proposals.
Reforms under way in England and Wales could see places such as supermarkets, insurers and banks offering up legal services.
Richard Henderson, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said they are following events south of the border closely.
He said: "The discussion paper sent out to the profession resulted in a sizeable response from which we have prepared a draft policy paper. The council has approved that and it will be published with a view to it being debated at the AGM.
"It will be a council motion to approve the policy, develop it and take it forward. I don't think anyone would suggest there is a clear consensus behind the next steps. A lot of us are concerned because none of us can say what the future holds. We don't quite know how things will move in England and Wales."
One of the key drivers in drafting the policy paper has been to make sure Scottish legal firms will still be able to compete on an international scale.
Henderson said: "We are concerned about the effect different practice units in England and Wales could have on Scottish practice particularly if they are practising in the same market place.
"The Scottish sector, as I understand it, is valued at approximately £1.3billion per annum.
"We don't know exactly the size of what you would call the international sector but we think it is at least £100million.
Any opening up of law firms to private investors will also have to be tightly regulated.
Protecting the availability of services, particularly in rural areas, is also a matter being looked at.
Henderson added: "One must be careful to make sure those running a law firm are fit to be running law firms.
The Law Society of Scotland AGM takes place on May 22. If the motion is approved the next phase will include looking at a timetable to implement changes and any legislation.
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