Excellence is our style

At the heart of Scotland’s law

The Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet (known as the WS Society) (Scottish charity SC050987) is the incorporated body of Scottish lawyers known as Writers to the Signet or “WS” with over 500 years of heritage. We are one of the oldest incorporated bodies in Scotland for public benefit.

PURPOSES

The Society’s purposes are:

  1. To advance and disseminate knowledge and education in law and legal practice for public benefit. We operate a law library, run an education programme and promote high standards of expertise and professional conduct.

  2. To advance the arts, heritage and culture through the Signet Library and its collections.

  3. To promote equality and diversity and advance citizenship and community development.

WS today

Today most Writers to the Signet are solicitors in law firms or in-house within the public or private sector. Writers to the Signet take a special oath before an officer of state, the Keeper of the Signet, signifying a personal commitment to the high standards of competence and integrity through our association with the historic seal of Scotland’s kings and queens, known as the Signet. Writers to the Signet belong to Scotland’s College of Justice along with the nation’s senior judges, known as Senators, and its advocates, the equivalent of barristers.

Values

Our Trustees and Executive are committed to the responsible oversight of our activities to reflect our institutional values of excellence, permanence and integrity and to contribute sustainable benefits for the environment and society.

THE SOCIETY AND THE Signet Library

The Society owns and operates the Signet Library, a magnificent example of neo-classical architecture from the Enlightenment era, located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. The Signet Library is adjacent to St Giles’ Cathedral and connected to Parliament Hall where Scotland’s Supreme Courts are located. The Signet Library is not only a law library but a repository of books, manuscripts, newspapers, journals and other texts on all aspects of human knowledge and literature. Our archives are a treasure chest of Scottish history and culture. The building is accessible to the public by prior arrangement our first class afternoon tea salon, Colonnades is open during the week and on Sundays.