Scottish lawyers – an altogether more sensible approach
The legal press in the last few weeks has highlighted what many have known for a long time – there are far too many solicitors in England & Wales, with explosive growth not only in the number of students attending law school at considerable expense, but also in the number of qualified lawyers and paralegals. In Scotland, there has also been a sizeable increase, but in terms of scale and multiples, the figures are much more sensible and sustainable. The growth in qualified lawyers in Scotland represents a rise in numbers from some 3,500 in 1949 to 10,380 today. In Scotland, another altogether more sensible trend is that, according to Lorna Jack, the current Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland, there has been a significant swing into working in house, with an increasing number of public and private sector organisations employing solicitors.
So, in addition to considerable lifestyle benefits, perhaps English students determined to follow a legal career should seriously consider the Scottish alternative and no, we are not paid agents for the Scottish tourism board !