Solicitors may not need a law degree

A DEGREE in law may soon no longer be necessary to become a solicitor in Scotland, a review suggested yesterday.

It is one of the possible outcomes of a major overhaul of legal education in Scotland now planned in the wake of the largest consultation conducted by the Law Society of Scotland.

Liz Campbell, the director of education and training at the society, said: "There has been an excellent response, with many insightful comments from across the spectrum of those involved in legal education and other interested parties which will fully inform our work.

"I think we are the only jurisdiction in the world to have undertaken a review of legal education on this scale."

Following analysis of nearly 900 responses, the society is working to produce new standards that could mean students can go on to qualify as solicitors without necessarily studying for an LLB.

Ms Campbell said as long as students studied for degrees that included "core" legal instruction, there was no reason why they could not go on to achieve professional legal qualifications while in the workplace.

She said: "I think there is much to be said about allowing greater flexibility in how to qualify, with more emphasis on work-based learning."

Alistair Bonnington, a leading solicitor who has been outspoken on the issue of reforming legal training in Scotland, said: "I am happy to see this issue being grasped by the Law Society, because in no way are academic study and practical study in opposition to each other.

"I think what has to happen at the very least is the law degree has to be changed so it contains a substantial amount of practical training," Mr Bonnington said.