Scottish Law Society accused of trying to gag senior solicitors

Fri, 26 Nov 2010

The Law Society of Scotland which regulates and represents solicitors has been plagued by infighting for the last 12 months.

A key proposal by the Society’s board which has been criticised is to make senior members have all media statements approved by the Law Society first.

Jamie Millar, president of the Law Society of Scotland and the board have put forward a new media protocol which means that any comment made in the Society’s name by any of its members must go its press office first.

John McGovern, council member and president of the Glasgow Bar Association said, "The Law Society has faced open rebellion in the last year.

"Rather than the board of the Law Society, which itself is unconstitutional, trying to gag its elected council members, it should be trying to encourage debate on how to heal the rifts within the profession.

"Trying to control what people say is not a clever strategy."

In response Mr said, "It is wrong and misleading to suggest these proposals attempt to gag any member of the Society’s Council.

"Any individual member can and will continue to be able to express their own personal opinion on any matter they choose.

"However the Law Society, like every other professional organisation, needs to have agreed processes for dealing with the media, not least to ensure that statements issued on behalf of the society are accurate and consistent."

This protocol used in local authorities and the NHS where employees are not allowed to speak to the press or broadcasters without consent.

Mr Millar will now have the final say on public statements by the Society instead of the elected council.
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