Great events do not end when the room clears or the livestream fades; they continue to echo in the conversations, reflections, and shared pride of being a Writer to the Signet.
Whether standing among historic halls steeped in tradition or collaborating on the pressing conversations shaping our future, our members experience these milestones in richly diverse ways.
From personal reflections on tradition and institutional change to the simple magic of being surrounded by brilliant minds, here is what our members have been saying about our recent events, told in their own words.
Katrina Lumsdaine WS, Helen Logan WS, Jim Cormack KC WS, Kim Leslie WS, Robert Pirrie WS and Kelly Hardman WS
On the opening of the legal year…
A real pinch-me moment today😊
Sitting in Court 1 at the opening of the legal year ceremony in Parliament House (Edinburgh), I was surrounded by some of the most brilliant minds in our profession and I felt incredibly privileged to be there representing both Fragomen and The WS Society💗It was also particularly special to stand there as a girl in the legal profession and to see so many brilliant women in the room👩⚖️
Lord Pentland's reflections on the unprecedented demands facing our courts and tribunals felt especially relevant - His emphasis on ensuring that our institutions remain effective, resilient and able to respond to changing needs resonates with so much of our work at Fragomen; helping people and businesses navigate complexity, advocating for systems that are accessible and fit for purpose, and contributing to the wider conversation about Scotland’s future. My warmest congrats to all the newly appointed KCs and Honorary KCs - It was a privilege to share in such a significant moment!🥂⚖️
It always amuses me that the pomp and pageantry of some of our oldest traditions provide such a spectacle for tourists, but it is incredibly special to be part of these moments. I felt enormously proud today: proud of myself, my profession, our legal heritage and proud to represent organisations that mean so much to me.✨
It was a real privilege to be able to represent the Society. It’s important to pause to consider the year which lies ahead and to do so in such grand style was humbling.
The start of the legal year. A moment to pause and reflect on the work of the last year and the challenges that lie ahead. One thing that unites this community is that we are all here to serve and be of service . The WS Society is an integral part of this legal community. This morning was a brief chance to step away from the inbox, listen to our Lord President and re connect with our Why.
On the appointment on new Senators…
Lady O’Neil WS and Kelly Hardman WS
It was a real honour to represent Fragomen and The WS Society in joining a packed Court 1 last Friday for Lady O’Neill’s swearing-in as a Senator of the College of Justice at Edinburgh's Court of Session.
The courtroom was filled with such a strong sense of admiration, pride and support for her; It was a proud and historic moment for Scotland’s legal profession, and on a personal level, incredibly inspiring to see another exceptional woman take her place on the bench...Representation matters, and moments like this show us what is possible🎓👩⚖️
Many congratulations to Lady O’Neill on this thoroughly deserved appointment - I felt very proud and privileged to be there!
The Society’s Autumn Reception…
Thank you to the WS Society for a wonderful evening reception at The Signet Library to mark the start of the Legal Year 2026/2027. Wonderful to see so many colleagues!