Public appointment: Non-Lawyer Member appointed to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission Board

The Minister for Community Safety today announced the appointment of Thane Lawrie as a Non-Lawyer Member of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission Board.

Member

Thane Lawrie brings a wealth of experience of working with vulnerable groups in society.  Thane formed a distinguished career spanning the third sector, healthcare, and leadership, where he worked for many years with people experiencing issues with addictions and then later working with those affected by fuel and food poverty.

As Chief Executive of Scarf for seven years, he transformed the organisation into one of the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For in the UK, while leading efforts to alleviate fuel poverty across Scotland.

Thane has held key leadership roles, including as Lead Officer for the Angus Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, where he coordinated multi-agency services to improve outcomes for individuals and communities. His career also includes managing and delivering frontline alcohol and drug treatment services and contributing to academic research on service  provision.

In addition to joining the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission he also serves on the board of the Scottish Ambulance Service and as Chairman of The Haven and Vice Chairman of Scarf, further exemplifying his dedication to community wellbeing and effective governance.

Appointment

This appointment will be for five years and will run from 1 February 2025 and ending on 31 January 2030.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is no more than 24 days a year and attracts a remuneration of £227 per day.

Other ministerial appointments

Thane Lawrie is a Non-Executive Director of the Scottish Ambulance Service for which he receives remuneration £11,700 per annum, for a time commitment of one day per week.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within
the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Thane Lawrie has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) is an independent statutory body providing a single point of contact for all complaints against legal practitioners operating in Scotland. The SLCC investigate and resolve complaints about inadequate professional services; refer conduct complaints to the relevant professional body and have oversight of complaint handling across the profession.

The SLCC operates independently of the legal profession and government and aims to resolve complaints early, efficiently and effectively and to improve complaints handling across the profession. Through this work we aim to improve trust and confidence in Scottish legal services.

There is a strong focus on early resolution, resolving cases without using formal investigative or determination powers.  A significant majority of cases are resolved after conciliation work by the SLCC lets the parties resolve the matter consensually, or through mediation.