Law Society of Scotland's new Access to Justice Committee to meet

The Law Society of Scotland's new Access to Justice Committee meets tomorrow for the first time (Thursday, 2 September 2010) in Glasgow. 

Committee Convener, Mike Dailly said:  "It's a great honour to have been appointed by the Council of the Law Society of Scotland to convene its new Access to Justice Committee.  We've brought together an outstanding group of Scottish access to justice champions, which includes solicitors, solicitor-advocates, advocates, anti-poverty and social justice campaigners, trade unionists, welfare rights specialists, and experts in rights based advocacy and community empowerment.

"This is a committee of the 'coalface', members with direct experience of the myriad of access to justice problems that many citizens face every day in Scotland. We're going to take a fresh approach. Our job is to identify and demand radical improvements so that Scotland's system of civil and criminal justice is fit for its people, its communities, and the 21st Century".

Justice for Scotland candidates elected; please grant a proxy vote in favour of SLAS

John McGovern, solicitor-advocate and President of the GBA, Walter Semple, solicitor and GLC's Principal Solcitor, Mike Dailly have all been elected to the Council of the Law Society of Scotland in the Sheriff Court District of Glasgow and Strathkelvin.  Together with past GBA President, David O'Hagan, solicitor, they represent a strong contigent against the external ownership and control of law firms in Scotland, and the need for progressive Law Society reform.  The full results are available here.

GLC's Mike Dailly said: "I would like to thank all of the Glasgow solicitors who voted for me.  I will work with my colleagues to deliver progressive reform in the interest of the Scottish public and their independent solicitors and law firms. If any Glasgow solicitor wishes to raise any law society or justice related issue with me you can e-mail me on councilmrd @ gmail.com (with 'council' in the subject line) and I will do my best to try and help".

"Together we have already changed the Law Society's policy on 100% external ownership.  Together we can go further. There is a growing consensus for a compromise position of capping non-solicitor ownership at 25%, but requiring those non-solicitor professionals to be working within the firm, and providing a service incidental to the work of the firm.  This would mean Scottish law firms remained independent, Scottish, law firms. If you want to support this reasonable compromise position please grant a proxy in favour of the Scottish Law Agents Society.  A proxy form can be downloaded here (opens as PDF)".

The papers for the forthcoming AGM of the Law Society of Scotland are available online here.

Law Society election statement from GLC's Principal Solicitor

Elections to the Council of the Law Society of Scotland will take place on 12 May 2010 for solicitors within the Sheriffdom of Glasgow and Strathkelvin.

GLC's Mike Dailly is standing on a 'Justice for Scotland' platform, together with Frank Maguire of Thompsons, Walter Semple solicitor, and John McGovern, President of the Glasgow Bar Association (GBA). Below is Mike's personal statement (limited to 50 words) which will be circulated with the forthcoming ballot papers:

"We must reform our Law Society. Glasgow solicitors need proper representation. Better pay for criminal and civil legal aid so our citizens can access justice. Less bureaucracy and practitioner costs. No external ownership of Scottish law firms. I will work with GBA and Justice for Scotland colleagues to deliver change".

In order to improve access to justice we need to reform the Law Society of Scotland; to better serve the people of Scotland, and their solicitors. If you are a solicitor in Glasgow and are able to offer any help or support - or have any questions or issues you would like to raise - please feel free to get in touch with Mike at m(AT)govanlc.com