Female solicitors outnumber men for first time

Female solicitors outnumber their male counterparts for the first time, according to new figures.
The Law Society said that of the solicitors being admitted to the profession this year, 64 per cent were female. Picture: Ian RutherfordThe Law Society said that of the solicitors being admitted to the profession this year, 64 per cent were female. Picture: Ian Rutherford
The Law Society said that of the solicitors being admitted to the profession this year, 64 per cent were female. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Details released by the Law Society of Scotland show 51 per cent of the country’s more than 11,000 practising solicitors are women.

It follows an influx of women entering the profession in recent years, the Law Society said.

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The legal body said the trend towards a more female profession was likely to continue, with women making up nearly two-thirds of solicitors under the age of 40, compared to 40 per cent for those over that age.

Christine McLintock, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “Increasing numbers of women have joined the legal profession over the past decade and it’s great that that so many women see their future in law.

“Solicitors play a crucial role in our society and our economy, helping thousands of people and businesses with a wide spectrum of legal issues, from providing advice on buying or selling people’s homes and assistance with writing a will or setting up a power of attorney that ensures loved ones are protected, to representing people in court and advising clients involved in multi-million pound contracts for global companies.”

The Law Society said that of the solicitors being admitted to the profession this year, 64 per cent were female.

According to the Faculty of Advocates, 125 of its 462 practising members are women. Of 113 QCs, 92 are male and 21 are female.

James Wolffe QC, dean of the Faculty of Advocates, said: “I was pleased to see the latest statistics from the Law Society of Scotland – not least because the bar recruits principally from the ranks of practising solicitors.

“The Faculty of Advocates, Scotland’s national bar, is committed to equality of opportunity. It is comprised of women and men who dedicate their professional lives to defending the rights of others. More women are practising advocacy than ever before, and, with the changing demographic in the solicitors’ profession, I expect that trend to continue.”

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