HomeSolicitors and the Law

Guide to Starting a Law Firm in Scotland

Guide to Starting a Law Firm in Scotland
Like Tweet Pin it Share Share Email

See also – Guide to starting a practice | Law Society of Scotland. For assistance in law firm acquisition, mergers or disposals please visit Jonathan Fagan Business Brokers, specialists for all UK law & accountancy firm M&A, with over 20 years’ experience. The guide below is for non-lawyers and non-Scottish solicitors looking to break into the Scottish legal market. Guide written by Mehak Gupta, graduate trainee adviser at Jonathan Fagan Business Brokers.

Current Status  

As of January 2025, applications to set up as a Licensed Provider (LP) in Scotland are temporarily paused due to ongoing changes in legislation.​

Basic Requirements – Ownership Structure  

  • Licensed providers must be at least 51% owned by lawyers or other professionals.  
  • Non-lawyers cannot own 100% of the firm.  
  • One solicitor must be employed as head of legal. ​

Process for Non-Scottish Solicitors ​

Initial Qualification  

  1. Pass the Qualified Lawyers Assessment. 
  1. Obtain practicing certificate from Law Society of Scotland. 

Practice Requirements  

  • Hold unrestricted practicing certificate for at least 3 years.  
  • Submit practice unit application to Law Society of Scotland.  
  • Complete Anti-Money laundering registration.  
  • Arrange Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII).  

Required Forms  

Essential Documentation  

  • Sample letterhead for approval.  

Additional Setup Steps  

Business Requirements ​(Licensed legal services providers)​ 

  1. Set up bank accounts.  
  1. Arrange PII coverage.  
  1. Register for anti-money laundering supervision.  
  1. Establish client protection fund.  

​​References 

Legal Services Regulation – the need for reform. Retrieved from Lawscot: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/research-and-policy/legal-services-review/  

​Legal services: alternative business structures. Retrieved from Gov.scot: https://www.gov.scot/policies/access-to-justice/alternative-business-structures/ 

​Licensed legal services providers. Retrieved from Law Scot: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/membership-and-fees/licensed-legal-services-providers/ 

​Non-lawyer law firm ownership: ABSs to be introduced in Scotland. Retrieved from Armstrong Watson: https://www.armstrongwatson.co.uk/news/2023/09/non-lawyer-law-firm-ownership-abss-be-introduced-scotland 

​Scotland set for non-lawyers to jointly own firms from 2022. Retrieved from Law Gazette : https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/scotland-set-for-non-lawyers-to-jointly-own-firms-from-2022/5111011.article 

​​​