Clearly qualified for success

Navigating legal jargon is only part of the work for new solicitors, says Heather Mckendrick

It occurred to me recently that like many professions, law has its own terminology and language that those not involved in the legal sector may find perplexing. We indulge ourselves with lots of acronyms (TCPD, PEAT or SOLAS anyone?) but I imagine every type of business has their fair share of jargon.

I’m not so sure however, that every work place would refer to a period of training as “devilling” and your trainer as a “devil master” or “mistress”. The Faculty of Advocates does; much to the delight of school pupils, especially when they see the “Devils only” sign on a tour of the faculty library.

Indeed, today’s ceremony is referred to as an “Admissions” ceremony, denoting the fact that an individual is being admitted to the roll of solicitors – a vital step in the process of qualifying as a solicitor in Scotland.

Some will have completed their first year of training and therefore still be referred to as a trainee solicitor, but will now be able to appear in court.

However, in many cases, the individuals today have completed their training and are now working as solicitors.

For them it could be described as a “qualification” celebration, and the end of an average seven years of studying and training.

We are however, careful not to call it a qualification ceremony, as technically we are celebrating the individuals being admitted to the roll of solicitors.

We have to be mindful of the words we use and why we use them. This is the very foundation of becoming a successful solicitor – the careful use of words and attention to detail.

If you are buying a house, it is vital the solicitor provides detailed and accurate information about your purchase, to ensure that you are buying what you think you have

0 Careful use of language will open doors in the profession bought. If they are drafting a will, it is hugely important that every word and sentence is carefully constructed to reflect the client’s exact requirements.

Individuals use solicitors for important and often sensitive matters: when they are buying a property or going through a divorce.

It is the role of a solicitor not only to provide advice, but to act on the wishes of the client using carefully considered wording and language. They have to get it right.

These skills don’t come overnight. While some have a natural aptitude for language, it is the training that solicitors receive that allows them to hone these skills and serve their clients to the best of their ability.

The mixture of academic and vocational training that they undertake allows them to learn not only the theory of law, but also the practical application.

In the Law Society we are proud of Scottish solicitors’ work – the training they have undertaken; their skills and qualities; and their attention to detail.

We are hugely proud of the individuals being admitted today – perhaps it’s not as snappy a title as “graduation”, but today’s ceremony in many ways is as important, if not more important than a graduation – it’s the culmination of many years of hard work, and the beginning of a career in law.

It’s an exciting day – not only for those being admitted but for their family and friends and the legal profession as a whole.

We welcome you, and know you will work to ensure the Scottish legal profession continues to be held in high regard and is a profession to feel proud of. Even if we do overindulge in legal jargon at times. n