SOLAS Newsletter Issue 65 December 2018

The December 2018 newsletter marks a significant milestone for SOLAS, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Glasgow Branch, welcoming a new National President, and outlining major future developments for the Society and its professional qualifications.

New President Takes Office

Shirley Green succeeded Richard Murray as SOLAS National President at the November 2018 AGM. In her introduction, she reflected on her own SOLAS journey, from completing the course in 1999 to serving in numerous committee and leadership roles before assuming the presidency.

She highlighted:

• The importance of member involvement in SOLAS committees.
• The success of the Glasgow Branch’s 60th Anniversary celebrations.
• Record attendance of 105 members and guests at the Annual Dinner.
• Future changes arising from the Law Society’s planned accreditation proposals for law accountants.

Administrator’s Report

Administrator Dorothy Nicholson reported:

• Strong attendance of approximately 180 delegates at the Autumn Seminar despite severe weather disruption.
• Plans for the March 2019 Private Client Seminar featuring speakers from TC Young, Blackadders, CLSRS and the former Public Guardian’s Office.
• Continued reminders regarding CPD submissions, subscriptions and maintaining current contact details.

New Members Admitted

General Council approved a substantial number of new Associate Members from branches across Scotland, demonstrating continued growth and engagement within the Society.

Major Structural Change: SOLAS and the Law Society

One of the most important announcements concerned the future relationship between SOLAS and the Law Society of Scotland.

The newsletter confirmed that:

• The Law Society intended to introduce an Accreditation Scheme for Law Accountants.
• As a result, the long-standing SOLAS/Law Society Joint Board of Examiners would cease operating from 1 January 2019.
• A new SOLAS-operated Board of Examiners would be established to oversee training and examinations going forward.

This represented a significant change in the governance of professional education within the Society.

SOLAS History and Objectives

The newsletter included a brief history of SOLAS:

• Originally formed in Aberdeen in 1910.
• Re-established in 1954 following a period of inactivity after the First World War.
• Glasgow Branch formed in 1958.
• Dundee, Edinburgh and Inverness branches followed over subsequent decades.

The Society reaffirmed its core purpose of supporting those working in legal accounting through education, networking and professional development.

Glasgow Branch 60th Anniversary

The centrepiece of the newsletter was coverage of the Glasgow Branch’s 60th Anniversary Annual Dinner and AGM. Photographs throughout the issue documented the celebrations, including the anniversary cake, guests and members attending the event.

The celebrations recognised six decades of contribution by the Glasgow Branch to legal accounting education and professional development.

Branch Reports

Aberdeen

• Successful AGM and CPD events.
• Four students received certificates.
• Introduction of webinar-based CPD sessions shared with Inverness.
• Long-serving Branch Secretary June Payne retired after many years of service and was succeeded by Joyce Forbes.
• The branch moved to a new meeting venue.

Dundee

• Welcomed new committee and General Council member Nikki Scott.
• Celebrated diploma recipients and newly admitted SOLAS members.
• Congratulations were extended to branch secretary Lynne Alexander following her marriage in September 2018.

Edinburgh

• Held a student reception and graduation ceremony for nine successful students.
• Reported strong examination results, with several students achieving distinctions in all three subjects.
• Continued a varied seminar programme covering family law, professional discipline, financial compliance, wellbeing and powers of attorney.
• Paid tribute to retiring former National President Richard Murray, recognising more than three decades of service to SOLAS as lecturer, committee member, branch president and national president.

Glasgow

• Celebrated the graduation of twelve successful students.
• Published its 2019 CPD programme, including GDPR, estate planning, cashroom management, pensions and regulatory updates.

Inverness

• Celebrated local graduate Eilidh Anderson, who received her diploma at a ceremony held in Inverness.

Key Themes

This issue focused on:

• The Glasgow Branch’s 60th Anniversary.
• Leadership transition from Richard Murray to Shirley Green.
• Expansion of member accreditation opportunities.
• Major governance changes to professional training and examinations.
• Continued investment in CPD, education and member development.
• Recognition of the contributions made by volunteers and long-serving members across Scotland.