International relations

International Relations forms part of the Society's Law Reform Department. It is responsible for monitoring international and European matters, including EU legislation, and for keeping the profession informed of developments. It also plays an important lobbying role, promoting Scots law and the Scottish solicitors' profession.

Brussels office

The Society also has a Brussels office, which it shares with the other UK Law Societies. The Office provides a number of free services for Scottish solicitors and firms, including the Brussels Agenda newsletter, the ECJ Update and the EU Legislative Update series. Topics covered include: civil litigation; company law and financial services; consumer law; criminal law; employment law; environmental law; family law; immigration and asylum and intellectual property law.

Secondments

Each year, the Society's Brussels office takes two trainees on secondment, with one starting in March and the other in September, each lasting approximately six months.  

International organisations

The Society has close links with a number of international organisations which represent lawyers at EU and international level, including the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), the International Bar Association (IBA), the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association (CLA), and the International Union of Notaries (UINL).

Opportunities abroad

Information is provided on international matters, such as on opportunities for employment or study abroad, finding lawyers abroad and practising as a foreign lawyer in Scotland. We also welcome visitors from all over the world who want to find out more about Scots law and Scottish solicitors. For more information, see the link on the right hand side.