Special General Meeting reports
Special General Meeting, 26 September 2008
CONCERNS about aspects of Home Reports and backing for a real terms cut in the Practising Certificate fee were among issues considered at a lively Special General Meeting.
Considerable media attention focused on a motion from the Scottish Law Agents Society calling for a delay in the introduction of Home Reports until at least 2010. A total of 2,052 solicitors voted in favour of the motion, with 52 voted against.
After the meeting, Janette Wilson, Convener of the Society’s Conveyancing Committee, said: “The Society recently asked the Scottish Government to postpone the introduction of Home Reports because of our concerns for the housebuying and selling public in light of the current economic climate. Change at a difficult time in the property market could cause even further slowdown.
“The Society has had reservations about the Single Survey being included as part of the Home Report pack from the outset. We have a number of concerns, including the survey's shelf life, particularly in areas where properties take longer to sell.”
As a result of the vote, the Society will again ask the government to postpone the introduction of Home Reports, relaying at the same time the strength of feeling among solicitors over the potential damage to the Scottish housing market during the current economic climate.
In recognition of the difficult economic conditions facing legal firms across the country, the SGM gave unanimous backing to a resolution recommending that the Practising Certificate subscription be renewed at last year’s rate – a cut in real terms.
A motion arguing that certain groups of solicitors – such as those who had emigrated or retired during the practise year – should not be liable for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission annual levy was defeated but allowed for an impassioned exchange of views, with sympathy expressed for those concerned and a commitment to further action from the Society.
Solicitors present also backed the new draft standards for service and conduct and a minor amendment to the draft practice rules relating to industrial action by solicitors.
Richard Henderson, the Society President, said: “It was clear from the meeting that solicitors are fully engaged with the important issues facing our profession.
“On a personal level, it was a privilege to put on record the debt the Society and the profession owe to Douglas Mill for his 11 years as chief executive. Douglas leaves the Society in early October and I wish him well in the future.”
