Aberdeen event sends positive message

Graham Matthews

Admission ceremonies are an accepted highlight of the Law Society calendar. They are by their very nature celebratory occasions and a privilege and pleasure to be part of.

I officiated at my first admission ceremony as president in June and the experience lived up to everything my predecessors had told me. That said, I must come clean and admit that this event is particularly special for me.

Edinburgh has without fail played host to three admission ceremonies a year for as long as anyone at the society can remember, and a great job Auld Reekie has done too.

But as my home town of Aberdeen provides the venue for today’s especially intimate ceremony, I for one, welcome the break with tradition and not just because I have a shorter commute home at the end of the day.

The relocation to the spot where like many of those being admitted today, I studied for a career in law, sends a positive message to our 15 new solicitors.

Firstly, that their member organisation is committed to representing an increasingly diverse profession and the interests of all our members, across a variety of roles, organisations, the country and globe for that matter.

And secondly, that they can be proud to be part of a modern and dynamic profession.

We have in the past been accused of being set in our ways and once upon a time, we may have been guilty as charged, but it is no longer good enough, to say, “that’s how we have always done it”.

As we embrace equality, diversity and technology, a world of opportunities and, dare I say responsibilities, opens up to our newest solicitors. I am proud to call myself a Scottish solicitor and they should be too.

So at this, the Granite City’s very first admission ceremony, I would urge our 15 newest members to take time to celebrate their achievements and look forward to many more firsts in a long and fulfilling career.

I am delighted to have been part of this memorable occasion and welcome our new solicitors to the profession, congratulate them on their successes and wish them many more for the future. n