Joining the Law Society’s Council allows you to influence vital decisions, contribute to key pieces of work and represent and support local solicitors.

President of the Law Society of Scotland, Sheila Webster, said: “I’ve been a member of Council since 2017, where I have had the chance to take on the immensely rewarding experience of representing my constituents in Edinburgh. It’s been a real privilege to engage with significant, often challenging, issues that directly affect every corner of our profession at a local and national level and wider civic Scotland.

“As a Council member you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the wide and varied issues affecting the profession, as well as being an important voice for the members in your area and getting to know and engage with your professional peer group. There’s never been a more important time to make sure your voice is heard as the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill progresses through the Scottish Parliament, in addition to plans for reforming Scotland’s criminal justice system.”

Seats are available in the following constituencies:

• Dingwall, Dornoch, Elgin, Inverness, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Lochmaddy, Portree, Stornoway, Tain & Wick - two seats
• Duns, Haddington, Jedburgh, Peebles & Selkirk – two seats
• Campbeltown, Dumbarton, Dunoon, Fort William, Oban & Rothesay – two seats
• Arbroath, Dundee & Forfar – one seat
• Alloa, Falkirk, Linlithgow & Stirling – two seats
• England, Wales and Northern Ireland – one seat

The Law Society is also holding a by-election for the following seats:

• Greenock, Kilmarnock and Paisley – one seat
• Aberdeen, Banff, Peterhead and Stonehaven – one seat
• Ayr, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright and Stranraer – one seat
• Edinburgh – one seat

Council members for the 10 available seats are eligible to be nominated by their constituency members for a three-year term, until May 2027.

The by-election seats for Edinburgh; Aberdeen, Banff, Peterhead & Stonehaven; and Ayr, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright and Stranraer will run until May 2026 and Greenock, Kilmarnock and Paisley until May 2025 due to current members stepping down.

Any practising solicitor within a constituency is eligible to nominate and vote in the election. Nominations open on Tuesday 2 April and close on 24 April. In the event of a contested election, voting will open on Monday 29 April and close on Thursday 9 May.

The successful candidates will be invited to their first meeting on 17 May 2024. The Law Society’s Council hold nine meetings a year, all of which are hybrid meetings.

More information on the application process and what’s involved, can be found on our website.