Little old ladies with a house to sell’ is new Law Society President - Austin Lafferty A GLASGOW BASED SOLICITOR who once said on BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland that his “ideal client” was a “little old lady with a house to sell” is the Law Society of Scotland’s new President for 2012-2013, none other than Austin Lafferty (looking forward to hearing the digitised version of this interview – Ed). The comments from Lafferty were made in a BBC radio debate on how the Law Society handle complaints against negligent & corrupt lawyers, and why clients always seem to get the short end of the stick.
The Law Society announced his presidency today : Austin Lafferty steps up as Law Society President
One of the country's best known solicitors, Austin Lafferty, has become president of the Law Society of Scotland.
Lafferty and vice-president of the Society, Bruce Beveridge, took up their new roles at a Law Society Council meeting today, Thursday 31 May.
Lafferty, has been a member of the Law Society's Council since 2006, runs his own multi-branch law firm in and around Glasgow and is a well known legal figure from his TV and radio presenting work, in addition to several newspaper columns on legal matters for The Herald, Evening Times, The Sun, Sunday Post and The Times. He is also author of 'It's The Law!', a handbook on Scots Law for citizens, published in 2004.
He has been a member of a number of Law Society committees and convener of the Nominations Committee and Strategy Group.
He said: "It is a great honour to be able to represent and lead a great profession. Solicitors play a key role in communities across Scotland. They provide a range of essential services such as helping with buying and selling a property or making a will and can often provide a lifeline when someone is in the greatest need of help and advice.
"The Society, just like the wider legal profession, is going through a period of substantial change as it works to meet new demands and I am well aware of some of the challenges that will come to the fore during my year in office. My immediate predecessor Cameron Ritchie has worked hard to go out and take the Society to its members, travelling the length and breadth of the country to do so. It's my hope that I can bring together the diverse stands of our profession and work to ensure the contribution that solicitors make to the lives of their clients as well as public life in Scotland, is properly recognised and valued."
Vice-president Bruce Beveridge, has been a Council member for five years, joining first in 2005 and again in 2011. After completing his traineeship with Mitchells Roberton in Glasgow, Bruce joined the Government Legal Service in Scotland in 1995 and in 2000 was appointed Legal Secretary to the Lord President of the Court of Session before becoming Deputy Keeper of the Registers of Scotland in 2004. In 2009, in his final government role, he was Deputy Director in Rural Affairs with responsibilities including land reform, crofting, tenant farming and rural communities.
Bruce left the Scottish Government in December 2011 and is focusing on Board and consultancy work. He has recently been appointed Chair of Scottish Land and Estates' Centre for Rural Development. He is also an office bearer in the WS Society, a member of the Scottish Law Agents' Society and the Crofting Law Group and is an editorial board member and 'wise owl' with LBC Wise Counsel.
2 comments:
Hamilton Advertiser 21 June 2012.
One of Austin's colleagues [a Mr Grant] has been elected to the Law Society Council. Lafferty said "I am delighted to welcome Jack to the council as the new member for Hamilton and Lanark. I have known Jack as a much admired colleague and friend in Lanarkshire for more decades than either of us will care to remember".
Where much admired colleages and friends look after each other what chance does a client have when a complaint goes to the Law Society. Please note I am making the point from Lafferty's comments but I am not accusing either man of any wrongdoing.
It is just that much admired colleagues and friends throughout the profession does not = a much admired client who complains. So much for self regulation. I think Lafferty's comment speaks volumes why self regulation can never work.
He said: "It is a great honour to be able to represent and lead a great profession. Solicitors play a key role in communities across Scotland, YES AUSTIN LIKE BLOCKING ACCESS TO THE COURTS WHEN THEIR COLLEAGUES STEAL CLIENTS MONEY. They provide a range of essential services such as helping with buying and selling a property or making a will and can often provide a lifeline when someone is in the greatest need of help and advice. LIKE MRS FRANCIS, SOME LIFELINE TORTURING AN OLD LADY FOR £100.00.
I used to watch Austin on the telly and I would never trust him or any of the rabble he is president of.
So folks if your lawyer has stolen your mothers money from her house she was leaving you in her will kiss it goodbye, Austin will be annoyed he did not get to your mothers assets first.
Not much honour being in charge of the wolfpack.
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