At the present, the Law prescribes that firms of solicitors can only be owned and controlled by solicitors.  Setting up partnerships with other professionals, such as accountants or surveyors is prohibited, as is investment by outside bodies. Companies that employ solicitors as in-house agents cannot offer legal services to the general public, and charities that offer legal services cannot charge for the legal services provided.

The Legal Services (Scotland) Bill aims to change these rules. The Bill is currently at Stage 1 of the Scottish Parliamentary process and is a topic of hot debate in legal circles. If the Bill is made law, the provision of legal services as we know it could change completely. Banks and supermarkets could begin to offer legal services. Accountants, surveyors and architects could team up with solicitors to form one firm that offers combined services to the public. Firms could expand to huge sizes with the input of outside capital and could even float on the stock market.

Are these changes good news for the general public? The expansion of supermarkets into super giants, selling everything from food to clothes to fridge freezers shows the nations’ enthusiasm for one-stop-shops. Could they successfully expand into the legal market, selling houses and drafting wills? Arguably yes. Supermarkets have a reputation for value and it is likely they could offer legal services at very competitive rates.

However, providing legal services is a completely different kettle of fish from selling tins of beans and cheap jumpers. An invaluable part of the service provided by law firms is years of expert local knowledge and the specialism of individual partners. A client can be with a firm throughout their life, enjoying a degree of quality and personal service that supermarkets simply will not be able to match. Clients will lose the face to face contact that allows their solicitor to get to know them, to fully asses their needs and to ensure that the client is led through the complex webs of the law in a secure way that is as best suited to them as possible.

Traditional firms such as James and George Collie can guarantee that all our clients’ business is handled by professional legal experts, who have great pride in their profession and whose aim is to produce repeat business by developing long relationships with our clients, rather than to make a ‘quick buck’.

Our clients will benefit from our independence from other professionals, secure in the knowledge that any relationship with other professionals or any recommendation to other professionals is due to the quality of their work, not about keeping the client’s business tied up in the firm.

The provision of legal services is not just about money. Your local supermarket may offer to sell your house or write your will for a small sum of money, but this price will almost definitely reflect the quality of service provided. Clients will be faced with call centres and websites as their point of contact, rather than being able to speak to the Partner who knows them, knows their property and who is the most qualified person to deal with their legal transaction.

Buying a house may be the most expensive thing you ever purchase. Having a will expertly drafted is the best way to provide for your loved ones. The most painful legal disputes can be eased by the provision of excellent legal service. When one considers the importance of legal transactions surely the low price is not worth the risk receiving the most basic standard of service permitted.

James and George Collie embraces the challenge posed by the Bill as an opportunity to strengthen our bonds with our existing clients and to show new clients that it is worth paying for the best. We relish the opportunity to adapt and improve, whilst continuing to deliver the quality legal services that our clients have enjoyed for over 150 years.

For further information please contact us by completing the online contact form.