Events
SYLA Events
The SYLA delivers a varied programme of events throughout the year designed to educate, represent, and entertain trainees, newly qualified solicitors and young legal professionals across Scotland. Through these events the SYLA hopes to support, connect, inspire and equip its members throughout their early careers.
The SYLA’s events cover a broad range of topics and interests, including Continuing Professional Development (CPD), networking opportunities, career development sessions, advocacy and public speaking workshops, wellbeing initiatives, and practice area-focused discussions. We also regularly collaborate with law firms, legal organisations, professional bodies and industry partners to provide members with access to specialist insights and valuable professional opportunities.
Whether you are looking to expand your professional network, develop new skills, gain technical knowledge or connect with fellow legal professionals, there is something for everyone at SYLA.
We encourage you to keep an eye on our upcoming events and join us at future sessions. You can sign up to attend our events on the SYLA Eventbrite here.
Educate
The SYLA runs numerous free CPD events each year, providing accessible learning opportunities for our members across Scotland. Our programme covers a broad range of legal and professional topics, helping members develop their technical knowledge, practical skills and understanding of the wider legal profession.
This includes popular event series such as So You Want to Be..., which offers insights into different legal career paths and sectors, and Beyond the Basics, which provides practical training and discussion on specific areas of law and key topics affecting legal practice. Through these events, members can learn from experienced practitioners, gain valuable perspectives on the profession, and enhance their professional development in a supportive and engaging environment.
Represent
The SYLA regularly undertakes surveys and consultation exercises on issues affecting the legal profession in Scotland. These initiatives help ensure that the views and experiences of legal professionals are heard and reflected in wider discussions about the future of the profession.
Through this work, the SYLA seeks to contribute constructively to policy discussions, identify emerging challenges facing junior lawyers, and advocate for positive developments that support the profession and those entering it.
Entertain
The SYLA runs a variety of social and networking events throughout the year, providing opportunities for members to connect with peers, strengthen professional relationships, and become more involved in Scotland's legal community. Our annual calendar includes our flagship event, our Annual Ball, alongside other social gatherings and collaborative events.
These events are designed not only to facilitate networking and relationship-building, but also to promote wellbeing by encouraging members to step away from the demands of practice and engage with colleagues in a more informal setting. By creating opportunities for social interaction and community engagement, the SYLA aims to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for young lawyers at all stages of their careers.
Upcoming SYLA Events
You can sign up for our upcoming events on the SYLA’s Eventbrite page here.
The SYLA hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Some of the SYLA’s popular series are;
Past SYLA Events
Since its inception, the SYLA has endeavoured to develop the professional skills and knowledge of young lawyers in Scotland, and events are at the very heart of that. The SYLA offers a wide range of events, covering a variety of practice areas, key issues in the profession, which aim to encourage a positive social culture within the legal community.
- Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts (SSC) x SYLA: Overview Of Time Limits In Scottish Litigation
- SYLA Lunch & Learn: Corporate Law Series
- So You Want To Be An In House Lawyer
- SYLA Ball 2026
- So You Want To Be A Devil
- Finding Your Place In The Profession: A Focus On Diversity and Inclusion
- Motherhood & Law
- SYLA: Young Professionals In Medical Negligence Networking
- Iftar Evening with SYLA and Morton Fraser Macroberts
- Spotlight On: What The Bench Want
- SSC x SYLA: The Redesign Of The Children's Hearing System
- Understanding A Law Firm As A Business
- SYLA Lunch And Learn: Medical Negligence Series
- On Board For Sport
- Mental Health And Wellbeing In The Legal Profession
- Spotlight On... Financial Wellbeing
- So You Want To Be A Politician
- So You Want To Be an Advocate
- Women in Law: Leadership
CPD Events
The SYLA is a registered with the Law Society of Scotland as an official CPD provider. The SYLA’s CPD events are designed to support young lawyers at every stage of their career by providing accessible learning, skills development, and practical insights from experienced practitioners.
As part of its commitment to supporting the next generation of Scottish lawyers, all of the SYLA’s educational events are offered free of charge. The SYLA believe that access to high-quality training and professional development should not be limited by financial barriers, and it is committed to ensuring that young lawyers across Scotland have the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and professional networks regardless of their location, practice area or stage of qualification.
The SYLA’s CPD programme includes lunch and learn sessions and panel discussions featuring experienced practitioners from across the profession. Recent events have explored areas such as corporate law, commercial litigation, and criminal law while our ongoing "So You Want to Be" series continues to showcase the wide range of career pathways available within the legal profession.
The SYLA is proud to collaborate with organisations across the Scottish legal sector, including the Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland (SSC) and other professional bodies, to deliver engaging and informative CPD opportunities.
Many of the SYLA’s events are verifiable for the purposes of its member’s CPD hours required by the Law Society of Scotland. However, requirements may vary depending on the event. If you are uncertain whether a particular event can contribute towards your CPD hours, please contact the SYLA committee either via email (mail@syla.co.uk) or on any of its social media platforms.
Please use the SYLA Eventbrite to view and sign up for upcoming CPD events: Scottish Young Lawyers' Association
The SYLA is always keen to hear ideas from its members. If there is a particular topic or career path you would like the committee to cover in a future CPD event, please contact us at mail@syla.co.uk
