2019 was the platinum anniversary of the Law Society of Scotland. Our 70th year was an opportunity to showcase the fantastic work of the Scottish legal profession, reflect on how the law and practice has progressed as well as looking to the future.
2019 was an extra special year for the legal profession because it marked 100 years since a change in the law permitted women to become lawyers for the first time. The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act in 1919 paved the way for women to build a career as a solicitor.
You can read about what we got up to during our platinum year celebrations on the links below.
Law Society of Scotland 70th Anniversary - Scottish country dance
The fantastic 'Law Society of Scotland 70th Anniversary’ Scottish country dance was devised by our colleague Patricia Wilson, and performed by talented team members from across the Law Society at our gala dinner in June. The 'Law Society of Scotland Platinum Jig' for the dance was composed by Ewan Galloway.
Platinum blog series
Kenneth Pritchard OBE played a key role in the Society’s contribution to the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 during his 21 years as the Secretary of the Law Society of Scotland. Mr Pritchard became an honorary member of the Law Society of Scotland in 1997.
Platinum blog series
As part of our Platinum Anniversary blog series, Andrew C Ferguson, a solicitor at Fife Council, discusses how the gender balance of the profession has changed since he became a solicitor over 30 years ago.
Platinum blog series
In the latest in our series of platinum anniversary blogs, Scottish solicitor and chartered trade mark attorney Caroline Pigott looks at how IP has changed over the years
Platinum blog series
In the latest in our series of platinum anniversary blogs, Senior Solicitor at Renfrewshire Council and member of our Privacy Law Sub-committee, Mark Conroy, argues that freedom of information legislation has changed the landscape in Scotland and brought about more transparency and honesty.
Platinum blog series
In the next in our series of Platinum blogs, Alyson Shaw, trainee solicitor at Shepherd and Wedderburn reflects on the impact of technology on the legal profession.
Platinum blog series
In the next in our series of Platinum blogs, Rebecca Lindsay, trainee solicitor at Wright Johnston Mackenzie reflects on the potential loss of governmental accountability in the wake of Brexit and the possible impact on the environment.
Platinum blog series
In the latest in our series of platinum anniversary blogs, Michael Kusznir, solicitor at Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace and member of our Trust and Succession Law Sub-committee, looks back to a time when an ‘illegitimate’ child was a stranger in law and blood to its parents.
Platinum blog series
In the latest in our series of platinum anniversary blogs, Scottish solicitor at the Crofting Commission and Rural Affairs Sub-committee member, David Findlay looks at the introduction of a new phase of crofting law and a new Crofting Commission.
Platinum blog series
Deborah Dillon is Lead Auditor, Business & Platform Solution for Atos UK&I.; She specialises in Information Governance, including the application and implementation of Data Protection processes and procedures across a wide range of organisational areas. Deborah is a member of our Privacy Committee.
Platinum blog series
As part of our platinum anniversary blog series, Adèle Nicol, Partner, Anderson Strathern and member of our Rural Affairs Sub-committee looks at how legislation introducing the right to roam and the right to buy brought about significant change.
Platinum blog series
As part of our platinum anniversary blog series, Tim Taylor, Scottish solicitor at Hastings Legal and member of our Property and Land Law Reform Law Sub-Committee looks at the significance of Scottish Standard Clauses in the context of our 70 year history.
Platinum blog series
As part of our platinum anniversary blog series, Scottish solicitor, Policy Executive and Secretary to our Criminal Law Committee, Gillian Mawdsley discusses the death penalty, its implications in terms of human rights and abolition in the context of our 70 year history.
Platinum blog series
As part of our platinum anniversary blog series, Aiste Slezeviciute, a member of our Competition Law Sub-Committee and Assistant Director, Mergers at the Competition and Markets Authority, looks at the broad reach of competition law.
Platinum blog series
As part of our platinum anniversary blog series, Claire E Macpherson, solicitor at Burness Paull LLP and member of the Law Society of Scotland Trusts and Succession Law Sub-Committee looks at how succession law has changed with the times.
Platinum blog series
As part of our platinum anniversary blog series, Adèle Nicol, Partner, Anderson Strathern and member of our Rural Affairs Sub-committee looks at the rights of agricultural tenants over the past 70 years.
Platinum blog series - VAT a simple tax?
As part of our platinum blog series Iain Doran, partner at CMS and a member of the Tax Law Sub-committee and LBTT working group looks at VAT and asks is it is indeed, a 'simple tax'?
Platinum blog series - rehabilitating woman offenders with Grace
As part of our Platinum blog series marking the Society's 70th year, we hear from Joyce Murray, founder of the social enterprise Grace Chocolates which supports women who have touched the criminal justice system towards fulfilling employment.
Platinum blog series - is tax taxing in Scotland?
As part of our platinum anniversary blog series, Caroline Colliston, Partner, Corporate Tax, at DWF LLP and member of our Tax Law Sub-committee and our Land and Building Transaction Tax working group, discusses how devolution of certain tax powers to Holyrood has transformed the tax landscape in Scotland.
Platinum blog series - Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Act 2018
As part of our platinum blog series our policy executive and secretary to the Society's Criminal Law Committee Gillian Mawdsley looks at the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Act and what it means in ensuring a more just, equal and fair society for us to live in as its citizens.
Platinum blog series - the future of Scotland’s 'not proven' verdict
As part of our platinum blog series our policy executive and secretary to the Society's Criminal Law Committee Gillian Mawdsley looks at the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Act and what it means in ensuring a more just, equal and fair society for us to live in as its citizens.
