Law Society of Scotland survey of solicitors finds increase in optimism

The annual survey of more than 500 solicitors from different sectors of the profession, which was carried out during 2015 by Ipsos MORI, gathered views on a range of issues.

It recorded a slight increase in optimism in the solicitors’ profession during the past year, up to 62 per cent from 60 per cent, with the latter figure a jump from 53 per cent in 2013.

Society chief executive Lorna Jack paid tribute to members’ increasingly positive approach during a period of such extensive and rapid change.

She said: “It’s very encouraging to see an increase in optimism among our members. That’s a great basis for us to start moving forward with high ambition for the Scottish solicitors’ profession.”

She added that the Society had responded to the demands facing the legal sector with an ambitious new five-year strategy, Leading Legal Excellence, which sets the bold aim of being a world-class professional body.

She said: “For the first time, our survey asked if membership of the Society was recognised globally as a rigorous and valued professional accreditation, and 79 per cent of those who took part agreed that it was – and that is before we have even taken any sustained action on our strategy.

“We will now be able to track the responses to this question in particular and measure how we progress up to 2020. The input of members will be vital in ensuring we deliver our strategy.”

The survey also showed that solicitors believe the Law Society’s regulatory role was considered its most important function, with the highest priorities thought to include intervening in firms where a critical failure has been identified (81 per cent) and setting standards for solicitors and updating practice rules (72 per cent).

Over two-thirds (69 per cent) thought investigating conduct complaints against solicitors and prosecuting cases to the discipline tribunal was a high priority and 60 per cent said inspecting firms to ensure compliance with accounting rules was also a high priority.

Other key findings included:

Head of marketing, Angus Maclauchlan, said: “This is the fourth year of our annual member survey. We carried it out to get an up-to-date picture of what members are thinking. Participants not only commented on wider issues but also on what the Society’s priorities should be, how much they know about us, the quality of our communication and the services we provide.

“Overall, members’ perceptions of the Society are largely positive and the results are generally consistent with previous years. While we are doing what our members expect, we are not complacent and are seeking to improve the range and type of services we can offer.”