Innovation to the fore in awards race

LEGAL training has undergone enormous changes and quality is rightly recognised by the Scott+Co Scottish Legal Awards 2012, writes David Lee.

There is added spice this year, with the 2011 winner – the Law Society of Scotland Update team – up against its ‘youth wing’, the Scottish Young Lawyers Association (SYLA), and Central Law Training (Scotland).

Sarah Prior, the society’s events manager, said: “We pride ourselves on accessible, affordable quality training for all solicitors through face-to-face events, Update Online, or Update Direct, our new, bespoke, in-house training.”

Catriona Headley, SYLA president, said: “I am thrilled. The committee has worked really hard to bring continuing professional development (CPD) events of the highest quality to the youngest members of the profession. Education should be inspiring, thought-provoking and enlightening. This is the standard SYLA sets itself.”

Central Law Training, the third contender for the Barr Printers Training Provider of the Year award, offers CPD in association with the University of Strathclyde.

The Lane Agency Support Team of the Year reflects the importance of quality support functions for the profession.

The finalists are ESPC and First Scottish Group, a Fife-based group of companies which launched a title rectification service to offer advice on complex property title issues. ESPC’s entry is based on a range of initiatives, including a new website and a fresh pricing and incentive packages for solicitors.

The Scottish Law Directory Innovation Award pits Millar & Bryce against Thorntons Law. Thorntons is shortlisted for online service login2law.co.uk which allows clients to complete legal documents in their home, office, or on the move – at a much lower cost.

Millar & Bryce’s entry is based on its new electronic land referencing service, which replaces time-consuming paper assembly of property materials with an interactive document mapping out the relevant information in a single electronic view.

l The Scottish Legal Awards 2012 will be presented at a dinner at the EICC on Thursday 29 March. For tickets, call Isla Munro, 0131-337 6232 or e-mail [email protected]