Law Society President Susan Murray invited Lord Lake to administer the declaration of allegiance to the solicitor advocates during the ceremony on Wednesday 31 July.

Gaining extended rights of audience for civil matters in the Court of Session, the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council are:

• Gary Burton, Anderson Strathern LLP
• Alan Calderwood, Thomsons
• Nicole Conroy, CSG Legal Limited
• Aaron Kane, BTO Solicitors LLP
• Eilidh MacEwan, Anderson Strathern LLP
• Valerie Pitt, Horwich Farrelly
• Louise Usher, Brodies
• Michael Wilson, Brodies

Emma Templeton, of Mannifield Templeton Defence, was granted rights of audience in the High Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for criminal matters.

At her first ceremony as president, Ms Murray said: “I’d like to extend my congratulations to our new solicitor advocates, many of whom have had to juggle family life and demanding workloads to achieve success in their exams and studies and reach their goal. It was a real pleasure meeting you and your families.

“As the Law Society of Scotland marks its 75th anniversary this week, it is also a privilege for me to be able to celebrate our new solicitor advocates’ hard work and dedication to their profession.

“Our new solicitor advocates bring experience of a broad range of practice areas, including criminal practice, civil and commercial litigation, personal injury and employment law. I am also pleased to see that among them is the Convener of the Society’s Education and Training (Standard Setting) Sub-Committee, Val Pitt.

“You all rightly deserve to be incredibly proud of yourselves as you join such a valued part of our legal sector.”