WIDENING access to the legal profession is to be a key priority for the Law Society of Scotland in the coming year, with the body focusing specifically on growing the number of people from underprivileged backgrounds who qualify as solicitors.
To achieve this goal the Lawscot Foundation, a charity set up by the society launched earlier this year with £150,000 of funding, is offering financial assistance in the form of bursaries as well as mentoring to law degree and diploma students from low-income backgrounds.
The Law Society has made the commitment as part of its annual plan for the year to the end of October 2017, which will see it undertake 30 individual projects that tie in with its 2020 five-year strategy.
Chief executive Lorna Jack said the Law Society had launched the Lawscot Foundation in direct response to an earlier review it conducted into fair access to the profession.
“Following our review of fair access and potential barriers to entering the profession, we launched the Lawscot Foundation earlier this year,” she said.
“There has been a great deal of enthusiasm within the profession and we hope that our members will continue to help us ensure there is a lasting legacy for the next generation of Scottish solicitors.”
The Law Society will also spend the next 12 months ensuring the profession’s opinions are represented on issues such as Brexit and cuts to legal aid.
“We will provide a leading voice as the UK’s withdrawal from the EU moves forward and ensure the interests of our members feature as decisions are taken on the country’s new relationship with Europe,” Ms Jack said.
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