Law Society of Scotland’s Austin Lafferty will meet with Caithness solicitors
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A SENIOR member of the Law Society of Scotland is to visit Wick to meet Caithness solicitors next week.
Austin Lafferty, who is the Law Society’s vice-president, will highlight the organisation’s plans for the future and its priorities for supporting its members.
The meeting, which has been organised by the Caithness Faculty of Solicitors, takes place in the town on Monday.
Mr Lafferty said: “Solicitors play a key role in communities across Scotland and provide a range of essential services. That’s why it’s important we listen to what their key concerns are to better understand issues they face on a local as well as national level.”
He said the past few years have been “a time of rapid change for the legal profession,” coupled with the ongoing economic downturn which has resulted in severe restrictions in public spending, including Legal Aid, and cutbacks in the private sector.
Mr Lafferty pointed out that there will be no let-up in the pace of change for the profession with plans which will allow solicitors to set up in business with other professionals to provide legal services.
Sylvia MacLennan, dean of Caithness faculty, said: “This is a great opportunity for local solicitors to find out more about the society, how it works and what it does for its members – and how they can become more involved if they wish to.
“Equally, I think it’s essential for the society as a membership body to be aware of the different issues solicitors are currently facing, especially in the unique geographical area of Caithness and the Highlands.
“We face particular challenges as to how we can continue to best help our clients and provide the levels of service they have traditionally been used to.”
