ONE of Scotland's best-known solicitors, Austin Lafferty, has been appointed as president of the Law Society of Scotland.

Mr Lafferty, who regularly contributes to The Herald on legal matters, took up his new role at the society's council meeting yesterday.

The lawyer runs his own multi-branch law firm in and around Glasgow and is also a well-known figure on television and radio.

Mr Lafferty said: "It is a great honour to be able to represent and lead a great profession.

"Solicitors play a key role in communities across Scotland. They provide a range of essential services such as helping with buying and selling a property or making a will and can often provide a lifeline when someone is in the greatest need of help and advice.

"The society, just like the wider legal profession, is going through a period of substantial change as it works to meet new demands and I am well aware of some of the challenges that will come to the fore during my year in office.

"It's my hope that I can bring together the diverse stands of our profession and work to ensure the contribution that solicitors make to the lives of their clients, as well as public life in Scotland, is properly recognised and valued."

His appointment came as the Law Society announced it is to cut its number of council members from 62 to 46 to "streamline the decision-making process".