Transcript
Craig McKerracher
Solicitors in Scotland perform a variety of roles. Most people will think initially around the role in criminal law, but there is a variety of other roles So people will typically use solicitors when it comes to buying and selling property, if there's a matrimonial dispute-- whether it's a divorce or if there is adoption issues or anything like that-- right through the way to business matters involving corporate and commercial mergers and acquisitions, and setting up of businesses and commercial contracts.
The work of solicitors in Scotland and wider UK and around the world is changing all the time, and a lot of it is changing due to technology. So there's a lot more scope for creation of legal software, which will do a lot of the work which we would call commoditised. So it's volume. It's things that involves a repetitive nature.
Also, the legal landscape is changing. There's a lot more firms who were previously based in England and Wales who are now merging with firms in Scotland. So the requirement for a lot of UK businesses and UK clients is the need for a national presence.
The general concept for law and legal system in Scotland is there needs to be a separation of powers. So on one hand, you have Parliament is there to create the law and enact that into force. And then the secondary role is for law enforcement agencies, such as the police but then also the courts, to play that rule in enforcing the law.
So judges play quite an important role because the requirement for separation of powers ensures that the judiciary is independent. So they shouldn't be swayed by the legislature and what Parliament does. They should take that role in ensuring that they interpret the law and apply it appropriately. Parliament may not at times like what the courts say, but that's what their role is, is to play that policing role alongside law enforcement agencies. And that will apply to private citizens as well, if there is a dispute between private citizens. The courts are there as an independent, if you like, mediator of sorts, to hear both sides' arguments and ultimately make a ruling to decide the outcome.