Faculty

The Faculty of Advocates has again objected to any rise in civil court fees, saying they are already “excessively high and should not be increased”. The Scottish government is currently consulting on proposals to increase court fees over the next three years – a two per cent rise d

The Faculty of Advocates’ scholarship programmes aim to remove barriers to membership of the Scottish bar for those with the skills and motivation to practise as advocates. Applications are now invited from those considering commencing devilling in 2023. Four scholarship schemes are available

The Faculty of Advocates is hosting a free event next week ahead of International Women's Day. A screening of the film Dying to Divorce – this year’s British entry for the Best International Film at the Oscars – will be held on 7th March at the Mackenzie Building bet

The committee members for the Faculty of Advocates' new Junior Bar Association have been elected. President Antonia Welsh is joined by Cameron Smith as vice president, Amy Donachie as secretary and Emma Boffey as devils' representative. Fergus Whyte, Valentina Mori, Ayla Iridag and Emily Bradbury ha

Faculty members have elected Neil Mackenzie QC as the new Keeper of the Advocates Library. Mr Mackenzie was director of training and education at Faculty between December 2017 and June 2021. During this period he built on the strengths of the existing devils’ training programme and devised and

Geoff Clarke QC Geoff Clarke QC of Compass Chambers has passed away.

A new association has been launched by the Faculty of Advocates to provide a supportive and accessible platform for newer members of the bar. Its first president, Antonia Welsh, explains the details. The junior bar association will focus on the needs of advocates called five years ago or less a

Proposals on remote hearings advanced by Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC) would adversely affect access to justice and the quality of justice, the Faculty of Advocates has said. The Faculty submitted its response to the SCJC Consultation on Mode of Attendance at Court Hearings today. The consul

The Faculty of Advocates has presented its first annual report on anti-money laundering (AML) supervisory activities. Its publication comes in the wake of new reporting requirements which came into effect for the first time this year. In devising its approach to AML supervision the Faculty carried o

The nights are drawing in and there’s a definite nip in the air. Winter is on its way, which means so is the season for giving. And while many of us are already looking forward to the festive season, cuts in financial support and rising fuel and food costs mean vulnerable families will struggl

Advocate Tim Haddow has returned to practice after completing a short mobilisation in his capacity as an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve. As Lieutenant Commander Haddow, he was mobilised to the staff of Commander UK Carrier Strike Group in late July. He deployed to Japan as liaison officer to the

Plans to exclude juries from rape trials have been rubbished by the Faculty of Advocates. In a submission to Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee, the Faculty states that many within the legal profession had been accused of being conspiracy theorists when they suggested last year that there was "a

The Faculty of Advocates is once again supporting Scotland’s annual international crime writing festival, Bloody Scotland, as it returns with a comprehensive programme this weekend that features a host of international and Scottish authors. Restricted to online events only last year due to the

The Faculty of Advocates and the Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers Association (SEMLA) will be hosting a virtual event on the process of joining the Scottish Bar entitled How to become an Advocate. This event aims to demystify the process of becoming an advocate and will cover topics such as the ad

Gillian Ross has been appointed deputy director of training and education at the Faculty of Advocates. Between 2015 and 2019 she worked as a full-time advocate depute, gaining skills in the preparation and presentation of a wide range of cases.