A last-ditch effort is under way to halt the Clementi-style liberalisation of Scotland’s legal services market.

The 10,000-strong Law Society of Scotland is to vote on whether to reverse its policy of supporting external ownership of law firms and alternative business structures.

The change will be considered on 25 March at a special general meeting (SGM) of the society requisitioned by lobby group the Scottish Law Agents Society, which opposes the introduction of so-called ‘Tesco law’ north of the border.

Scotland’s equivalent of the Legal Services Bill in England and Wales was introduced in the Scottish Parliament last September. It is due for stage 1 debate at the end of March. 

Ian Smart, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said: ‘The bill is likely to bring about major change in the delivery of legal services so we appreciate the desire for a debate, but to try and completely reverse the Society’s position two years on from its original adoption and halfway through the progress of the Scottish Parliament legislative process is not, in my opinion, a realistic way forward.

‘Instead, I would prefer to concentrate on the best way to provide clients with the legal services they need and allow solicitors from different sectors of the profession to continue to provide the client protections which are unique to the Scottish experience.’