Murray Etherington becomes president of the Law Society of Scotland

Murray Etherington formally took more than the function of president from Ken Dalling at a assembly of the society’s governing Council on Friday. Sheila Webster has been designed vice president.

Mr Etherington stated: “I’m humbled to be supplied the chance to come to be president of the Legislation Culture, and psyched for the year in advance. My aim is to offer continuity, and to meet up with and talk with as many customers as I can.

“Unlike pretty much each president who’s preceded me, I’ve by no means established foot in a courtroom in my everyday living! There have been heaps of litigators in the purpose, but I would like to fly the flag for chamber observe.

“Of study course one particular of those litigators is Ken, who’s finished an exceptional position as president. He has brought his passion, expertise and commitment to the presidency, and I know he’ll continue on to engage in an essential purpose with the Law Culture into the foreseeable future.

“I’d also like to make exclusive mention of earlier president Amanda Millar, who is standing down from Council following extra than a 10 years. The constructive effects of Amanda’s operate on equality and variety in unique will continue on to be felt for many years to arrive.”

A Dundee-based spouse with Thorntons Legislation, Mr Etherington has determined the ongoing struggle to preserve authorized support and the Legislation Society’s important role regulating the solicitor occupation as two priorities through his presidency.

“You simply cannot grow to be president of the Culture devoid of comprehension the impression of lawful aid and the lack of guidance for authorized assist more than lots of years. I know that Ken will go on to be a powerful general public voice as perfectly, specified how professional and passionate he is on this important subject.

“The Legislation Culture does an outstanding career regulating solicitors so the community can have self-assurance and our career carries on to prosper. I’ll be repeating that information loudly and often as the Scottish Govt proceeds to look at the future of authorized regulation.”

The incoming management crew will also oversee the implementation in the coming months of a new 5-yr strategy that will underpin the Regulation Society’s function making sure the authorized career proceeds to prosper and adapt, looking at problems these as sustainability, wellbeing, know-how and authorized support.

Mr Dalling said: “I know I’m leaving the job in great hands, and that Murray and Sheila will do an exceptional job as our sector continues to navigate some considerable difficulties.

“It has been a remarkable honour and privilege to be president of the Regulation Modern society. I’d like to thank my several colleagues throughout the Scottish authorized profession and all the Regulation Society personnel who’ve aided and supported me through the calendar year.

“I’ve been specially happy of the Society’s get the job done to provide concentrate to the longstanding disaster in lawful help funding and, much more normally, to make certain the wider lawful sector has been ready to temperature and bounce back from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.”