ABOUT US
The Society exists to promote legal professional expertise and standards in the region and provides an excellent opportunity to network and foster rapport among those who do business with each other on a daily basis.
FAQ
Frequently
Asked
Questions
What is the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen?
The Society of Advocates is a professional body for solicitors, academics and associated legal professionals who are based in Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland.
When was the Society formed?
Many of our earliest records were lost to a fire in 1721, so we don't know the exact date. Our first Royal Charter was granted in 1774, but references were made to the Society as dating back "beyond the memory of man". Evidence from the Burgh records dates us back to at least 1549, but it's likely our society began to take shape around the time the Univeristy of Aberdeen was founded, as a School of Law, in 1495.
What is an Advocate?
The title 'Advocate in Aberdeen’ may be used by members of the Society and, while it is similar to the title ‘Advocate’ used by member of the Faculty of Advocates – those lawyers who specialise in practice before the court of Scotland – most come from the Solicitor branch of the profession.
What does the Society do?
Today the Society serves to foster rapport between local legal professionals and promote professional standards and expertise within the region. We provide services to local legal practitioners including a library, CPD training, and social events. Historically the Society was responsible for the training, examination, and regulation of all legal practitioners in the North East of Scotland, as well as the consideration of bills before Parliament. These roles have since been assumed by the Law Society of Scotland. Our regulatory role spanned 240 years - from 1633 until 1873 – and while this is now governed by the Law Society of Scotland, established in 1949, the society continues to play an important role for the local profession.
Why are we called 'Advocates in Aberdeen'?
A number of different stories suggest how our title came to be conferred. One claims the title was granted by James VI (and I), in gratitude for either a grand meal, or an unsecured loan that was never repaid. However, there is no evidence to support either of these tales, and the title was in use long before he was born. The more likely explanation is slightly less nostalgic: Before the College of Justice was founded in 1532, professional pleaders in the Ecclesiastical Court of the Archdeacon of the Lothians were known as Advocates. Other than Edinburgh, Aberdeen was the only place in Scotland where the county town and seat of a Bishop coincided. Aberdeen's similar position likely gave rise to similar naming conventions. The title was since confirmed within our Royal Charters, and 'Advocates in Aberdeen' have built a rich legacy over centuries that today's members are proud to uphold.
Where is the Society based?
The present Advocates' Hall was built in 1870. This Category A listed building consists of two storeys with a basement and was desined by James Matthews, a prominent architect who later served as Lord Provost of Aberdeen. We are very fortunate to have this beautiful building, which has been a 'lieu de memoire' or 'memory space' of Aberdeen's legal profession for over a century.
What is the oldest book in the Library?
Our oldest book is Henry Savile's "Rerum Anglicarum Scriptores post Bedam" - a Latin collection of English chronicles and histories that was published in 1596.
