Scots Lawyers Vote No To Tesco Law Yet Profession Remains Divided
22nd April 2010
At a Special General Meeting of the Law Society of Scotland held yesterday, 21 April 2010, Scottish solicitors voted against the introduction of alternative business structures (ABS) in Scotland.
This is the opposite of the result obtained by a referendum of the profession as announced earlier this month.
In its current form the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill proposes ABS be allowed to set up and operate in Scotland. An ABS is a business managed by lawyers and other kinds of professional, e.g. accountants, bankers etc. Traditionally law firms could only be run by solicitors, and this is how many Scottish solicitors wish to keep it.
At the SGM 1,817 voted against ABS and 1,290 for. There were only 5 abstentions. In the earlier referendum 2,245 voted for while 2,221 voted against, a difference of only 24.
Ian Smart, President of the Law Society, said the Society would continue to discuss the issue with interested parties.
Expressing concern over the divided appearance of the profession, he commented, "The government and the parliament will not dance to the tune of our profession and if we are divided it simply gives them carte blanche to do as they like.”
Michael Scanlon, President of the Scottish Law Agents Society (which opposes ABS) has already resigned over the issue.
The Council of the Law Society will now decide its view, taking into consideration both the SGM and referendum results. It is due to meet again on 30 April.