Faculty of Advocates

Faculty of Advocates. The Faculty of Advocates is a professional body of advocates in Scotland, founded in 1532 by Royal Charter granted by James V of Scotland. It is headquartered in Edinburgh and has a long history of promoting the interests of the Scottish Bar. The Faculty has played a significant role in the development of Scots law, with many of its members going on to become prominent figures in Scottish politics, such as Lord President of the Court of Session Lord Cooper of Culross and Solicitor General for Scotland Lord Keen of Elie.

● History

The Faculty of Advocates has a rich history dating back to the 16th century, with notable events including the Acts of Union 1707 and the Jacobite rising of 1745. Many of its members have played important roles in shaping Scottish history, such as Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll and John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll. The Faculty has also been involved in significant Scottish court cases, including Donoghue v Stevenson and Prest v Petrodel Resources Limited. The Faculty's history is closely tied to that of the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow, with many of its members having studied at these institutions, including Adam Smith and David Hume.

● Structure

The Faculty of Advocates is governed by a Council of the Faculty of Advocates, which is responsible for overseeing the organization's activities and making key decisions. The Council is composed of senior members of the Faculty, including the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates and the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Advocates. The Faculty is also divided into various committees, such as the Library Committee and the Education Committee, which are responsible for specific aspects of the organization's work. The Faculty works closely with other professional bodies, including the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Bar Association, to promote the interests of the Scottish legal profession and support the work of Scottish lawyers, such as Lord Hope of Craighead and Lord Reed of Allermuir.

● Membership

Membership of the Faculty of Advocates is open to advocates who have completed the necessary training and have been admitted to the Scottish Bar. Members of the Faculty are entitled to use the post-nominal letters FCIArb and to practice as advocates in the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary. Many notable figures have been members of the Faculty, including Winston Churchill, who was admitted as an honorary member in 1946, and Nelson Mandela, who was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Edinburgh in 1997. Other notable members include Gordon Brown, Alex Salmond, and Nicola Sturgeon, who have all played significant roles in Scottish politics and have been involved in key events, such as the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

● Library

The Faculty of Advocates has a significant library that contains a wide range of legal texts and other materials. The library is one of the largest and most comprehensive in Scotland, with a collection that includes works by notable authors such as William Blackstone and Jeremy Bentham. The library is also home to a number of rare and historic books, including a copy of the Magna Carta and the Acts of the Parliament of Scotland. The library is an important resource for members of the Faculty and for other lawyers and researchers in Scotland, including those at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow.

● Public Access

The Faculty of Advocates is committed to promoting public access to justice and to supporting the work of lawyers and judges in Scotland. The Faculty provides a range of services and resources to support the Scottish legal system, including training and education programs for lawyers and judges. The Faculty also works closely with other organizations, such as the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, to promote the interests of justice and to support the work of law enforcement agencies in Scotland, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.

● Notable Members

The Faculty of Advocates has a long history of producing notable members, including Lord Bingham of Cornhill, Lord Rodger of Earlsferry, and Lord Mackay of Clashfern. Other notable members include Donald Dewar, Robin Cook, and Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg, who have all played significant roles in Scottish politics and have been involved in key events, such as the Devolution in the United Kingdom and the Good Friday Agreement. The Faculty has also been associated with a number of notable Scottish judges, including Lord President of the Court of Session Lord Carloway and Lord Justice Clerk Lady Dorrian. Many of its members have also been recognized for their contributions to Scots law and to the Scottish legal profession, including Lord Hope of Craighead, who was awarded the Order of the Thistle in 2009, and Lord Reed of Allermuir, who was appointed as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in 2020.