President's column

As I write this last column – I am 32,000 feet over Alice Springs, returning from the Commonwealth Lawyers Association Conference in Melbourne, where Douglas Mill, myself and other representatives and members of the Society, as well as other Scottish lawyers spoke on topics ranging from the structure of the law firm to Multi Jurisdictional Practices and Ethics.

I have written before about the international regard for the Law Society of Scotland and its members and was reminded that Scotland is an example to other jurisdictions in terms of our views on professionalism and the rule of law.

In Australia, the business community is reeling from the major professional indemnity insurance problems caused by the collapse of the HIH insurance company. Many believe that criminal charges will result in a scenario reminiscent of Enron. It is a firm reminder that we, as lawyers, should stick to our own business, which we do well, and leave others to their core activities.

There is a balance to maintain in the dichotomy of professionalism and commercialism. The pressure to diversify must not allow the motivation of profit to win at the cost of the legal profession’s core values of Integrity, Confidentiality and, above all, Independence. The profession must be a resource for people in Scotland which lives up to and sets the standards we are all entitled to expect.

I started my year with an analogy of sailing and navigation. Now, looking back, I think we avoided the hazards and called at a few ports en route.

We reviewed the way Council works and promoted Council of the Law Society of Scotland Act 2003 which will modernise and improve the work of the Society and Council.

Reviewing the civil legal aid system with the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Legal Aid Board will, I hope, improve civil legal aid, access to justice and the viability of the work. The effects of the changes will be clearer when it is reviewed in early 2005.

I hand the tiller to an eminently qualified skipper in Joe Platt, who will steer us through the next 12 months with the consummate skills he has shown as Vice President.

There remains much to be done. We must pool information on legal pro bono work in Scotland to show the benefits the profession brings to the community, the increasing levels of unpaid work, and the reasons legal aid work must be properly remunerated.

I am privileged to have served as your President. Thank you for the opportunity.