Our Timeline

University of Aberdeen Coat of Arms

1495

King’s College Founded

King’s College Founded by Bishop Elphinstone as a School of Law

Society of Advocates original shield.png

1500s

The Society of Advocates in Aberdeen is formed

The exact date of foundation is unknown as the original documents were lost in a fire at the Records Office on Castle Street in 1721 but would have been prior to 1570 as reference to a Member of the Society who joined in that year is made in a 1588 document signed by King James VI.

Court icon

1633

Advocates authorised to conduct business

The Sheriff Principal passed an act of court under which only 16 named Advocates were authorised to conduct business before the court. From this point forward, until the establishment of the Law Society of Scotland, the Society examined and authorised those individuals found suitable to enter legal practice.

Arms of Great Britain in Scotland (1714-1801)

1774

Royal Charter granted

A Royal Charter is granted to the Society by King George III..

Education icon

1786

Teaching

It was agreed by the Society that the teaching of classes in Scots Law within Aberdeen would be beneficial and our committment to providing education has developed since the early days of classes taught at Marischal College to our current CPD offering.

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1787

Library founded

The Society's Library was founded. It was not devoted exclusively to Law Books and even today one of the oldest books in our collection is Henry Savile's Rerum Anglicarum scriptores post Bedam (London, 1596)

Arms of Great Britain in Scotland (1714-1801)

1799

A further Royal Charter granted

A further Royal Charter is granted to the Society by King George III

Court building icon

1820

New Courthouse is constructed

The new Courthouse is constructed at Castle Street and the Society was given use of a room in which to hold meetings.

Society of Advocates in Aberdeen shield

1837

Advocates Hall was built

The first Advocates Hall was built, to a design by John Smith, at the corner of Union Street and Back Wynd. The opening was marked by a banquet at which 170 people attended and 53 toasts were proposed.

Society of Advocates in Aberdeen shield

1842

Lumsden Smith Benevolent Fund

The foundations of the Lumsden Smith Benevolent Fund are laid with the first gift of £300 pounds being placed in trust to provide support for those Members and their dependents in need.

Royal Arms of the United Kingdom (Scotland) (Variant 1)

1862

Royal Charter granted

A Royal Charter is Granted to the Society by Queen Victoria.

Society of Advocates in Aberdeen shield

1870

Present Advocates' Hall erected

The present Advocates' Hall was erected in Concert Court to a design by James Matthews and the Society continue to warmly welcome both members and guests to our iconic building.

Remembrance Day Poppy Scotland

1914 - 1919
1939 - 1945

WWI and WWII

Members of the Society served in WWI and WWII and a memorial to those who fell was erected within the Library.

Society of Advocates in Aberdeen shield

1939

Williamson Law Prize Fund

The Williamson Law Prize Fund is established and provides an annual prize to a student studying law at the University of Aberdeen

Law Society icon

1949

Law Society established

The Law Society of Scotland is established.

Society of Advocates in Aberdeen shield

1962

First Lady Member

Elizabeth Barnett of A C Morrison & Richards is welcomed as the Society's first lady Member.

The Aberdeen Solicitors Property Centre logo

1969

ASPC Founded

The Aberdeen Solicitors Property Centre was founded and continues to support, and is well supported by, many of our Member's firms.

Aberdeen FC icon

1983

Aberdeen FC win

Aberdeen FC win the European Cup Winners' Cup and European Super Cup.

Society of Advocates in Aberdeen shield

2011

First lady President

Elizabeth J W Mackinnon is elected as the first lady President of the Society.

Society of Advocates in Aberdeen shield

2011

TANA Group is formed

The Society's TANA Group is formed to support our Trainee and Newly Qualified Members as they embark on their legal careers and become the future leaders of the local profession.