Solicitor advocates and ‘international’ members wanted for Law Society Council

Scottish solicitor advocates and Scottish solicitors based outside Great Britain will be invited to nominate themselves as Law Society of Scotland Council members before noon on 30 August.

The Society now counts over 350 solicitor advocates amongst its members and a decision at the annual general meeting in May approved a motion to elect a council member to represent their specific interests.

Becoming a member of the Law Society Council provides an opportunity to influence key developments, contribute to the work of the society and support solicitors who share your specific concerns.

Both members will be elected by their fellow constituency members for a three-year term and invited to attend nine council meetings a year, either in person or by video conferencing.

Graham Matthews, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “It is vital that we continually strive to ensure that all of our members are represented in the decision making process. The need for international and solicitor advocate members is a positive reflection of the increasing diversity and modernisation of our profession.

“I became a Council member in 2005 and would strongly encourage my fellow Scottish solicitors to nominate themselves for election.

“Becoming a Council member is a unique opportunity to expand your network, broaden your understanding of the work of the Law Society and represent the views of solicitors whose interests you share.”

Nominations for the 2017 Council elections will be accepted from 12 noon on Wednesday 12 July until 12 noon on Wednesday 30 August 2017.

Voting will be open from Wednesday 6 September – 20 September and successful candidates will be invited to attend their first Council meeting on Friday 27 October.

More information about the application process and what’s involved in being a Council member can be found on the Law Society’s website.

The society has produced a short video featuring current Council members talking about what they have found valuable about their experiences of sitting on Council and why they think others should consider joining.