Commenting on the budget, SLCC chair, Jane Malcolm said: “We’re grateful to those organisations who responded to our budget consultation and we’re refining our operating plan for the coming year in response to some of their comments.

“There’s a lot of change underway at the SLCC – and much more to come. That makes our planning and budgeting challenging so my thanks go to the Board and staff team for their hard work on this. My thanks also to our stakeholders for recognising that challenge and welcoming our approach in their responses. 

“Working in an uncertain environment is demanding but it can also be stimulating. I’m proud of the positive way the organisation views and responds to change, seeing the opportunities for improvement in every situation.

“This coming year will see the biggest change to our organisation since its creation as the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act completes its Parliamentary scrutiny. We are looking forward to implementing the improvements we are all keen to see, and this budget will help us to deliver that.”

Chief executive, Neil Stevenson said: “We’ve set a modest rise in our budget and levy, with the main drivers of cost being the Scottish Government Public Sector pay policy, increased National Insurance costs and inflationary increases in utilities and other essential services. In addition, incoming complaint numbers last year were at record levels and despite also closing a higher number of cases, internal caseloads remain high.

“At the end of June 2024 our current four-year strategy came to an end. Last year we extended this by one year, believing reform would then have been finalised. With the Bill still in progress we proposed a two-year refreshed strategy, which was welcomed in the consultation responses we received. In addition, our operating plan prepares us for the implementation work to come, but with the ability to respond flexibility depending on timescales, funding and any unexpected issues.

“That flexibility in our budget, operating plan and our overall approach will be crucial for the year to come as we respond to an ever changing external environment and look to take advantage of the opportunities for improvement and further efficiencies that it will bring.”