Professional briefing - The Journal Online

Diploma validity
extended
Students looking for traineeships
are reminded that the Diploma
in Legal Practice is valid for a
period of two years from 1
January after the Diploma is
awarded. For example a Diploma
awarded in August 2007 is valid
until 31 December 2009.
However, it is possible to apply
to the Society for the validity of
the Diploma to be extended.
Applications are being treated
sympathetically in the current
economic climate. The Society
will take into account relevant
work experience and courses
undertaken, as well as the
applicant’s efforts to secure a
traineeship. Applications should
be made to the Society
approximately two months
before the Diploma expires.
For more information about how to
apply or to discuss any aspect of your
traineeship, please contact Katie Meanley,
Manager, Registrar’s Department on
0131 476 8105/8200 or email her at
katiemeanley@lawscot.org.uk .
www.lawscotjobs.co.uk
It has been an interesting year for
solicitor advocates. The Rights of
Audience Review is well underway
and now the Society’s Council has
approved 15 solicitor advocates as
senior for legal aid purposes. This
may help to address some of the
concerns expressed in the
Woodside case.
The Council’s approval is the
end result of a lengthy process of
discussion and consultation, and
helps to remedy what some have
seen as an anomalous situation.
To quote from the material
issued to all potential
applicants, taken in turn from
the consultation: “The Law
Society of Scotland is keen to
stress that this scheme is not an
alternative QC structure. The
scheme aims to ensure that
there is some independent
element available to check that
payments from public funds are
being made appropriately.
“Accreditation will be given to
those solicitor advocates who are
the most able and experienced
and have demonstrated the
ability to deal with the most
serious cases.”
The list of 15 names is the
work of the assessment panel
established under the
Russell guests at ceremony
Sir Muir Russell, former Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Executive and Principal of
Glasgow University, and now chairman of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland, was
guest speaker at the Society’s recent Admission Ceremony in the Signet Library, where he is
pictured (right) with Chief Executive Lorna Jack and President Ian Smart.
Relocation project review
The audit report on the delayed project to relocate from Drumsheugh Gardens to new premises
was considered by Council members at the November meeting. The Society proposed the
report should be prepared in an amendment to a proposal which was then passed at the
Society’s SGM in September. Council noted the review and agreed it should be available in full
on the Society’s website: see www.lawscot.org.uk/about/finance/annualreports .
First solicitor advocates
approved as “senior”
chairmanship of Sheriff Principal
Bowen. The panel consisted on
this occasion of Alayne Swanson,
President of the Society of
Solicitor Advocates, Ian Bryce,
solicitor advocate and member
of the Society’s Council, Criona
Courtney, lay member, and Alex
Prentice QC, assistant principal
advocate depute.
Applicants all had at least seven
years’ experience as solicitor
advocates, although in many cases
this figure was easily exceeded.
The application form asked for
details of cases undertaken in the
last two years, along with other
relevant information.
It was intended that the list
should reflect the reality of those
who are currently undertaking
cases of gravity and difficulty,
such as might also be dealt with
by QCs. As a result colleagues
will probably recognise most or
all of the names on the list.
In passing it is worth noting
that the new accreditation scheme
attracted many more applications
PPC
members
The Professional
Practice Committee is
pleased to announce
that following the
resignation of three
solicitor members over
the course of the last
year, it has brought its
membership back up
to a full complement
with the appointment
of three new
members: Norman
Banski (Council
member), Derek Allan
and Valerie O’Neil.
than the single application for silk
received this year. The drop in
applications to be a QC, from
solicitor advocates in particular,
was the subject of comment from
Sir William Rae, the independent
observer of the QC application
process. No doubt this will be the
subject of further discussion.
Accreditation is for a period of
five years only and is subject to
review thereafter. This is meant
as a means of ensuring that high
standards are maintained.
As part of this exercise, solicitor
advocates with four years’
experience will automatically be
entitled to claim remuneration as
“junior as leader”.
The next step is for changes to
be made to the legal aid
regulations. We understand that
this should happen early next
year. From that point on, only
those on the list will be entitled
to charge senior rates.
John Scott, Vice President (Crime),
Society of Solicitor Advocates
Obituaries
FRANCIS ANTHONY PATTERSON
(retired solicitor), Clarkston
On 9 May 2009, Francis Anthony
Patterson, formerly partner and latterly
consultant to the firm Peterkins, Aberdeen.
AGE: 80
ADMITTED: 1954
ROBERT IRVINE GLOYER
(retired solicitor), Burghead, Moray
On 25 October 2009 Robert Irvine
Gloyer, formerly partner of the firm
Leonards, Hamilton.
AGE: 73
ADMITTED: 1959
JOHN HENDERSON SINCLAIR
(retired solicitor), Crail
On 8 November 2009, John Henderson
Sinclair, formerly sole practitioner, Glasgow
and latterly consultant to the firms Golds
and Davidson Fraser, both Glasgow.
AGE: 74
ADMITTED: 1962
More news>
Property law news items are
on pp56-57
December 09 theJournal / 23