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All solicitors in Scotland are members of the Law Society of Scotland. The Society was set up in 1949 with a statutory duty to "promote the interests of the public" in relation to the solicitors' profession. Although modern society finds it difficult to support a profession policing itself, on the whole the Society has done a very good job. Here are some of the forms of protection you get when using a solicitor:-
- All solicitors receive at least 4 years full time training before they are allowed to practise. Most have a law degree.
- No solicitor is allowed to practise unless he has extensive insurance against making mistakes while dealing with your business.
- We all contribute to a guarantee fund, which compensates clients if they lose money because of a solicitor's misconduct. To make sure payments are kept low, the society sends it's auditors round solicitors firms regularly to make sure they are looking after your money properly.
- If you have any complaints about a solicitor, and cannot sort it out with him or her, the Law Society will take up your complaint with the solicitor concerned, and can strike him off and give you compensation if your complaint is justified.
- The Legal Services Ombudsman checks the Society deals with complaints properly, and takes over any they have problems with.
- We all have to abide by a Code of Conduct and various regulations by the Society, most of which are concerned with protecting clients.

There are lots of people giving so called legal advice who offer none of this protection.