Law Society raises a glass to Bruce Beveridge

Bruce Beveridge was elected by the society’s governing council on Friday.

He beat Ian Bryce by 22 votes to 16 after David Newton was eliminated in the first round and his votes reallocated.

Mr Beveridge will take up the post in May, and serve as vice-president to Austin Lafferty, who is currently No.2 to serving president Cameron Ritchie.

Mr Beveridge paid tribute to Mr Bryce and Mr Newton, and said he was “delighted and honoured” to be elected.

The deputy director, rural affairs, for the Scottish Government and former deputy keeper at Registers of Scotland, was admitted to the profession in 1994 and joined the society’s council in 2005, and again in 2011, representing Edinburgh.

He has worked on a number of Law Society committees and is currently convener of its constitution working party.

Mr Beveridge said: “I believe we can make good progress in promoting the work of the council and the society and continuing to support the profession during a highly challenging period of change and economic instability.

“It is vital that we also continue to build strong, co-operative working relationships with interest groups across the profession, other business sectors and the public, and maintain our current president Cameron Ritchie’s ‘One Profession’ initiative.”

Mr Ritchie said: “Bruce has contributed a great deal to the society both as a council member and through his committee work. He will bring a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to the role. With Austin Lafferty as president and Bruce Beveridge as vice-president, Scottish solicitors can have confidence that there will be a strong and committed team at the helm of their professional body from next May.”