Solicitor Advocates Clash

The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Richard Keen QC, has called on the Law Society of Scotland to face up to its responsibility for regulating solicitor advocates. Solicitor advocates are lawyers qualified to represent clients as an advocate in higher courts in England, Wales and in Scotland, the Supreme Court and High Court and last month Lord Justice Clerk Gill criticised the conduct of solicitor advocates in an appeal decision. Mr Keen said a government appointed review of rights of audience in the higher courts was "an abdication of its statutory responsibility for regulating solicitor advocates."

According to The Journal here the Society believe that after almost 20 years it is time for an independent, comprehensive review of rights of audience in the higher courts