CHALLENGES, threats and opportunities effecting Scotland’s 2,500 in-house lawyers will be discussed at a conference organised by the Law Society of Scotland today (Friday 28 October).
The conference is due to be attended by 140 in-house lawyers working in industry, commerce and local authorities throughout Scotland.
Janet Hood, chair of the Law Society’s In-house Lawyers Group, said: “We live in an increasingly regulated world. Bureaucracy and the requirement for due diligence hound our every step.
“I hope this conference, which will concentrate on risk and compliance, will help delegates meet the needs of their organisations which are increasingly under pressure to perform with tightened budgets and stricter regulations.
“The current economy gives in-house lawyers a unique chance to shine and show their organisations the many skills and abilities they bring to the table, not just the professional ethics and legal advice.
“We are experts in spotting risks and potential risks and I would encourage in-house solicitors to be as valuable as they can be to their employer by keeping on top of changes to the law, such as the recent Bribery Act.
“A recent ruling in the EU courts was of great concern as it implied that in-house lawyers were not on an equal footing to those in private practice. Scottish solicitors must all work to the same high standards of regulation and professionalism.
“We must also act independently and in the best interests of our clients and the public – we are not yes men and women.
“A strong in-house team ensures dedicated, informed, business-orientated, swift, skilled and cost effective delivery of legal services to the in-house employer, however it is up to in-house lawyers to demonstrate this at every turn.”
The conference, which incorporates the In-house Lawyers Group Annual General Meeting, takes place at the John McIntyre Conference Centre in Edinburgh.
The programme includes sessions on the lessons learned from the Sony PlayStation security breach, managing corporate governance and regulatory risk and an update on employment law.
As one of the sponsors of the ILG Annual Conference, Dundas & Wilson is hosting an ‘eHub’ during the conference, where they will launch and demonstrate the new Dundas & Wilson microsite, eCounsel.
The site is aimed at in-house lawyers, providing assistance and training tools for legal issues which crop up in day-to-day activity. To launch the new site all delegates can pick up a free trial at Dundas & Wilson’s exhibition stand, normally only accessible to clients of the firm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact Suzy Powell on 0131 476 8115. For the out of hours service please call 0131 226 7411.
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