Lib Dems criticise Scottish government over treatment of lawyers

The Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill proposed giving Scottish ministers sweeping new powers to intervene in the way lawyers work. These powers were met with unanimous condemnation from the legal profession, including warnings that it could lead to Scotland being “viewed internationally as a country whose legal system is open to abuse”.

More than 500 of the 600 amendments to the bill have been lodged by the Scottish government as it seeks to retreat from its earlier position on ministerial powers.

Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur said: “The Scottish government adopted the wrong approach to this legislation from day one. By not engaging properly with stakeholders, the government risked giving ministers unchecked powers and undermining the confidence of the legal profession.

“After numerous warnings and fierce opposition, only now have they backed down and agreed to remove these powers. The fact that it will take more than 500 amendments to make this extremely messy legislation fit for purpose shows what a dog’s dinner they have made of it.

“Liberal Democrats are strongly in favour of modernising the legal profession, but the government’s mishandling of it reminds us that it must be done with care.”