Committee Member - The Law Society of Scotland

Law Society of Scotland (The)
VO103208

Our Client Protection Sub-Committee is looking to recruit three lay members to help regulate the legal services, protect clients, and uphold trust within the profession.

This is a meaningful opportunity to make a difference while developing skills and an opportunity to grow your professional network.

If you are interested in making an impact, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit an application form on our website by 12 noon on Tuesday 1st July 2025.
https://www.lawscot.org.uk/about-us/work-with-us/current-vacancies/committee-vacancies/

About Us

We are the professional body for over 13,000 Scottish solicitors. As well as setting standards for and regulating solicitors, we have a role to understand and serve the needs of our members and the public.

At the Law Society of Scotland, we are working together to achieve our overarching objective of leading legal excellence and we are striving to excel and to be a world-class professional body.

Why get involved?

• Be part of a Sub-Committee that makes a meaningful difference to clients impacted by financial loss
• Help oversee and shape the processes that safeguard client funds
• Learn and develop alongside experienced committee members and dedicated staff who will support you through your term
• Join a network of professionals committed to fairness, accountability and high standards
• Gain valuable experience in financial compliance and serving on a professional regulatory committee

About the role

As a volunteer member, you will assess claims to the Client Protection Fund, play a key role in ensuring firms comply with Accounts Rules, and help ensure the continued confidence of the public in Scotland’s legal profession.

More information about the Client Protection Sub-Committee can be found here:
https://www.lawscot.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are/our-committees/regulatory-committee/client-protection-sub-committee/

Selection Criteria

Candidates should have:
• An understanding of the key legal requirements of Rule B6 of the Law Society of Scotland Practice Rules 2011
• An ability to interpret a large volume of complex information and contribute to the development of solutions for issues considered
• A commitment to protecting the profession and the public through effective regulation of financial compliance
• A commitment to embedding financial compliance best practice throughout the profession
• The ability to contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of financial compliance strategies and operational processes

Time Commitment and Expenses

In addition, candidates will also be required to participate in regulatory interview panels (at least 3 times a year). Each panel typically comprises two or three members, including a solicitor and a lay member. These panels conduct regulatory interviews of solicitors found by the sub-committee to be in breach of the accounts rules.

Meetings can take place either in-person or remotely (by video).

It’s a commitment – a rewarding one and you will be backed by a supportive team of experienced committee members and staff, learning and contributing to decisions that really matter.

These positions are voluntary, although reasonable expenses may be claimed.

Length of Term

The appointments are for three years and will commence upon approval.

Further re-appointment may be possible, in line with the terms of the committee’s remit.

Application Process

A panel will consider all applications and put their selection forward to the Society’s Regulatory Committee for approval. The panel will invite applicants to an interview. Appointments will be confirmed in writing shortly after formal approval has been given. The email will set out the approved term of office and other key information that a new member will require.

To apply please submit an application form on our website.
https://www.lawscot.org.uk/about-us/work-with-us/current-vacancies/committee-vacancies/

Travel expenses

These positions are voluntary, although reasonable expenses may be claimed.

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Restrictions

Minimum age: 18

Availability

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Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Frequency & commitment

The Sub-Committee meets once a month, usually on the first Thursday of each month at 9.30am, and meetings typically last for around 60 to 90 minutes. Members are expected to review papers in advance and may occasionally be asked to respond emails or queries between meetings. In addition, candidates will also be required to participate in regulatory interview panels (at least 3 times a year). Each panel typically comprises two or three members, including a solicitor and a lay member. These panels conduct regulatory interviews of solicitors found by the sub-committee to be in breach of the accounts rules. Meetings can take place either in-person or remotely (by video). It’s a commitment – a rewarding one and you will be backed by a supportive team of experienced committee members and staff, learning and contributing to decisions that really matter.