New Law Society committee gets up and running

Published on Friday 3 June 2011 10:36

THE Law Society of Scotland regulatory committee, set up to comply with the Legal Services Act, has met for the first time.

Its creation caused ructions when Jamie Millar, then president, said the society needed a new constitution to establish it. After a counsel's opinion suggested a new constitution wasn't needed, this led to a claim that Mr Millar had deliberately misled the profession - a charge he fiercely denies.

Both solicitors and non-solicitors will work independently from the society's council on the committee, dealing with regulatory matters. Society regulatory sub-committees will all report to it.

Members of the committee include five non-solicitors, one of whom will be elected as convener. Cameron Ritchie, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said the calibre of applicants was high and displayed "a range and depth of talent … and enthusiasm".

He added: "The committee is a significant step for the society as we move towards new types of legal services businesses becoming a reality. The society is continuing to develop a regulatory framework for licensed legal services providers which will be as rigorous as that for solicitors, and the committee will have an important role."

Solicitors and current council members Alison Atack, Frank McAuley, Jane MacEachran and Alistair Morris will be joined by the five new lay members. A further solicitor appointment will also be made.

The lay members are: James Allan, former honorary secretary of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors; Kilmarnock Academy head teacher Carole Ford (pictured); Professor Kay Hampton, emeritus professor in community and race relations at Glasgow Caledonian University; Alan Plumtree, a chartered accountant and partner with French Duncan LLP (pictured), and Elaine Tait, chief executive of Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.