As-you-were as Law Society wins vital vote

SCOTTISH solicitors have overwhelmingly backed the Law Society of Scotland in a referendum vote that could have seen it stripped of its historic role to represent lawyers.

The society was backed to retain its dual function as regulator and representative body by 73 per cent of lawyers who took part in the vote, called by solicitors unhappy with the body's handling of legal reforms.

It is under pressure over its backing of external ownership for law firms, measures included in the Scottish Government's Legal Services Bill, dubbed Tesco Law, that some lawyers fear will erode the independence of the legal profession.

The vote, held by the independent Electoral Reform Society, saw the Law Society backed by 3,037 votes to 1,101, easing the pressure on under-fire society president Ian Smart.