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Law Society of Scotland, Annual Members Survey 2018 Report by Mark Diffley Consultancy and Research Ltd. Background and Methodology
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Law Society of Scotland, Annual Members Survey 2018Report by Mark Diffley Consultancy and Research Ltd
Background and Methodology The Law Society Members Survey explores members’ views on Law Society priorities; the wider policy context of the profession; Law Society communication channels; CPD; and support for trainees. The survey is carried out among Law Society members, selected using stratified random sampling of the Law Society membership database. Telephone interviewing took place between the 20 of November and 18 December 2018. In total 512 members completed the survey (covering key firm types, big firm, high street, in-house public, in-house private and trainee solicitors). Weighting was applied to the data to ensure it was representative of the membership population as a whole. The survey has been carried out annually since 2011, where relevant, comparisons from previous waves of the survey are made throughout this report. Throughout, differences between variables are commented upon only where we are sure these are statistically significant i.e. where we can be 95% certain that they have not occurred by chance.
Regulatory and compliance functions continue to rank highly among the Society’s priorities Q. For each of these, can you please tell me how much of a priority for the Society you think these should be? Base: All respondents
Around three-quarters (73%) consider representing the profession on regulatory changes to be a high priority Those who agree that the society should continue to be responsible for regulation are more likely to consider it to be a high priority for the Society Medium priority High priority Base: All respondents
The Society is viewed positively by members, in particular there is widespread agreement (93%) that the Society should continue to be responsible for representation, support and regulation - consistent with 2017 Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Net +86% +82% +78% +76% +66% +58% +58% +42% Base: All respondents, excluding DK responses
One area where there is comparatively less agreement is that “the Society is focused on the issues that affect me” – 28% disagree with this statement – however, it should be noted that agreement with this statement has increased between 2017 and 2018 (68% compared with 64% in 2017) Don’t know Strongly disagree Strongly agree Women were more likely than men to agree that the Society is focused on the issues that affect me Tend to disagree Base: All respondents
A majority (85%) agree that additional resources should be allocated to legal aid rates; while confidence in economic prospects is low at 39% Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements…? Net +79% +79% +42% +3% Base: All respondents
Confidence in economic prospects has fallen from 49% in 2017 to 39% in 2018 • Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?: I am more confident in the economic prospects for my business over the next 12 months compared to the previous 12 months Net There was variance in the results by type of firm +3% +9% Base: All respondents
There is a relationship between economic confidence and the perceived impact of Brexit on the business/organisation in the next two years Relationship between confidence in economic prospects for my business in the next 12 months by attitudes to the impact of Brexit on the business/organisation over the next 2 years 59% of those who agree that they are confident in the economic prospects of their business think that Brexit will make no difference to their business/organisation over the next two years. 58% of those who disagree that they are confident in the economic prospects of their business think that Brexit will have a negative impact on their business/organisation over the next two years.
While the key recommendation in the independent report on the regulation of legal services is the creation of a new regulator with all regulatory powers taken away from the Law Society and given to a new body; a majority of members think that regulatory powers should/possibly should be retained by the Society Q. Which of the following regulatory powers, if any, should by retained by the Law Society and should not transfer to the new body? Base: All respondents
Looking at aspects of regulation more specifically, almost all (97%) agree that there should be a legal restriction on who can describe themselves as a ‘lawyer.’ Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Base: All respondents
Almost all (90%) agree that the Journal is a good quality, trusted magazine; and, that the Society keeps me well informed with accurate and reliable information Q. How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?? Base: All respondents
A majority (77%) feel that they have the opportunity to interact with and provide input to the Society and its services Q. How much you agree or disagree with each of these: I have the opportunity to interact with and provide input to the Society and its services Don’t know Strongly disagree Strongly agree Tend to disagree Tend to agree Base: All respondents
Almost all (95%) are proud to be part of the Scottish legal profession Q. How proud are you to be a part of the Scottish legal profession? Not at all proud Don’t know Not very proud Somewhat proud Very proud Base: All respondents
Seven-in-ten are aware of the Professional Practice team Q. The Society provides a dedicated team of solicitors and an accredited paralegal for its members and can assist with enquiries on legal practice. Are you aware of this service? Base: All respondents
Results of the awareness of the Professional Practice team are reversed when we explore use of the team services – 36% had used the service in the past 12 months compared with 63% who had not Q. Have you used the Professional Practice team for phone or email advice in the past 12 months? Corresponding with awareness, high street firms were more likely to have used the Professional Practice team than any other firm type Base: All respondents
Almost all trainees (85%) felt that providing assistance to those beginning and during their traineeships should be a high priority for the Society Q. The Society provides support for trainee solicitors Can you please tell me how much of a priority for the Society you think these should be? Base: All trainees (130)
A similar proportion (81%) expressed satisfaction with the assistance provided to those beginning and during their traineeships Q. Based on your experience, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with each of the following services and areas of support? Base: All trainees (130)
Almost all (89%) agree that the paralegal accreditation scheme provides a professional qualification and identifiable quality standard for paralegals across the profession Q. As you may know, the Society has an accreditation scheme in place for paralegals. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “It is important for the legal sector that paralegals have a recognised professional qualification” Base: All respondents
Brexit was the single biggest issue facing solicitors in Scotland Q. Thinking about your current role, what is the single biggest issue facing you as a Scottish solicitor? Base: All respondents
Members are more likely to think Brexit will have a negative impact on their business than a positive one Q. What impact do you think Brexit will have on your business or organisation over the next two years/ five years? Net -46% -39% Base: All respondents
For a quarter (24%), Brexit featured in their advice to clients a great deal / a fair amount Q. To what extent has Brexit featured in advice you have given to your clients? Base: All respondents
For more informationPlease contact our research team at research@lawscot.org.uk
