Conference success

It has been a busy few months for the Association.

We held our annual conference in April with 150 delegates attending. Feedback from delegates was great and the committee are now working hard to match 2017’s success.

Apart from a number of fantastic exhibitors, we had distinguished speakers covering commercial conveyancing, licensing, residential conveyancing, executries, adults with incapacity, civil, criminal, debt recovery and employment law. Hopefully your area of work was included. If not, please let us know, as we try hard to include as many different areas as possible – also if there is a particular topic you would like to see covered for next year.

The Paralegal of the Year, sponsored by Millar & Bryce, was awarded to Genevieve Littauer who works at Glasgow City Council. The award was presented by Paul Kerr of Millar & Bryce, and by me. Genevieve has worked as a paralegal with Glasgow City Council for the past three years and winning the award has been the highlight of her career to date. She was nominated by her colleagues due to her efficiency, cheerful and calm manner and, more than anything, her proactive approach to resolving problems. It was really gratifying for her to learn of her nomination and to realise that her work was so appreciated – and her colleagues are delighted her efforts have now been recognised more widely by the SPA.

Events roundup

We have hosted networking events in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and hope that you managed to come to one of these to meet the committee and to hear what we plan to do for you this year. The Law Society of Scotland was also there to answer questions on the Registered Paralegal Scheme.
In June, Paul and I attended Fife College and spoke to about 60 students who had just finished their exams and were deciding which area of work to specialise in. It was great speaking to all of them, and their enthusiasm for their career ahead was obvious.

In September, we are having a conference in Aberdeen. This will be a smaller event that the one held in Glasgow, but it will be just as good. We are currently arranging speakers to cover conveyancing, oil and gas, renewables, private client, family, debt recovery and civil litigation. Tickets will be going on sale soon. Please watch our website for further details.

The committee continue to work hard on your behalf and if there is anything that you would like to see us do, please let us know. If you are looking for CPD, we can help if we know what it is you are looking for.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please drop me an email. There are eight of us on the committee and we meet approximately once a month on a Saturday for a couple of hours. While it is hard work, we have lots of fun and meet a lot of lovely people.

Please remember that the committee are here for you – MAKE IT YOUR VOICE!

For those who have not already had their summer holiday, have a great time, and for those who have been away, I hope it’s not long until your next one.