Law Society ABS roadshows to start in Aberdeen
The Law Society of Scotland starts its series of roadshows to debate the prospect of reforms to the Scottish legal services market in Aberdeen today, Tuesday, 2 March.
A team from the Society, including chief executive Lorna Jack, and current president Ian Smart, will travel to six towns and cities across Scotland to inform members about the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill entails and encourage debate among the profession, prior to an SGM about alternative business structures in March.
The Bill, currently at stage 1 in the Parliament, will set out a framework to allow solicitors the option of adopting an alternative business model to the traditional law firm. This could include setting up in business with non-lawyers, other professionals and allowing non-lawyers to own entities providing legal services. Currently in Scotland, only solicitors can own law firms and form partnerships with other solicitors.
Ian Smart, President of the Society, said: "The Society has been active in driving the debate on alternative business structures (ABS), following its 2008 AGM vote in favour of the Society's ABS policy. In addition to organising these roadshows we have been carrying out a consultation with our members on the types of new business models that should be permitted and how they would be regulated - and I would urge all of our members to respond before the 16 April closing date.
"This is in addition to the SGM called by the Scottish Law Agents Society on Thursday, 25 February and which will be held at the end of March."
He added: "The Society believes that Scotland's legal profession should be able to adapt to best meet the needs of modern society and a global economy. Scots lawyers are well respected around the world and we want to ensure that our members have access to the opportunities that ABSs could present to adopt new practices, to deliver the services their clients expect and develop their businesses in Scotland, as well as elsewhere in the UK and overseas.
"We are of course aware of issues which the proposed changes present and, although on the whole think the bill's regulatory objectives are robust, we are continuing to press for amendments where we believe the Bill needs to be strengthened or changed to ensure that the Scottish legal profession remains independent, that consumer protections and standards are maintained and that access to justice remains a priority for ministers.
"I'm looking forward to discussing the opportunities and challenges that alternative business structures might present with our members and how we can move forward."
2 March 2010
Roadshows are taking place in:
Aberdeen, 2 March (FULLY BOOKED)
Glasgow, 4 March (FULLY BOOKED)
Inverness, 9 March
Dundee, 11 March
Dumfries, 16 March
Edinburgh, 18 March (FULLY BOOKED)
