The clutch of Working Groups that operate under the umbrella of SOLAR continues to grow. These 14 specialist Working Groups exist to provide a forum for detailed exchange of ideas and information, knowledge and good practice collaboration. The Society is regularly called upon to assist the work of national bodies and to present evidence to Scottish Parliamentary Committees on various topics.

  • Anti Social Behaviour & Housing Group

    This group consists of In-house Lawyers (Mainly Local Government Lawyers) who deal with all issues relating to Antisocial Behaviour and related Housing matters.

  • Child Care Group

    This is a Group for SOLAR Members to share information and discuss issues relating to Child Law.

  • Community Care Group

    This is a Group for SOLAR Members to share information and discuss issues relating to Community Care Law.

  • Conveyancing, Property and Infrastructure Group

    This is a Group for SOLAR members to share information, issues and best practice relating to Conveyancing, Property and Infrastructure.

  • Education Law Group

    This is a Group for SOLAR Members to share information and discuss issues relating to Education Law.

  • Elections Group

    SOLAR Elections Working Group brings together election practitioners across Scotland and provides a forum for discussion of current election issues and sharing of best practice. The Group also has a role in supporting the work of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland.

  • Employment Law Group

    A forum to discuss issues and share knowledge relating to employment law as it affects Scottish local authorities. Intended members are solicitors employed by Scottish local authorities.

  • FOI, Data Protection & Human Rights Group

    The group is a sub section of SOLAR which is a Scottish Group of mainly lawyers and administrators from Local Authorities. This subgroup focuses on sharing knowledge and information in the areas of data protection, freedom of information and human rights.

  • Governance Working Group

    The Group consists of senior officers in Democratic Services, Committee Services and Governance and provides a forum for networking and information sharing on issues affecting local government administrative services, including new legislation and electronic service delivery, with the aim of achieving best practice across Scotland. The Group also organises an annual training event.

  • National Care Service and Health & Social Care Integration Group

    This is a secure space for SOLAR members to share information and discuss issues relating to the proposed National Care Service and ongoing issues relating to Health and Social Care Integration in Scotland. The site is also a place for styles, documents and other papers to be stored and shared.

  • Human Rights and Equalities Group

    A Group in its infancy as at May 2021; to consider Human Rights, Children's Rights and Equality Issues affecting Local Government Policies and Decision Making.

  • Licensing Group

    A group to promote inter-authority communication, information sharing and best practice between members of the SOLAR - Licensing sub-group.

  • Monitoring Officers Group

    A group to promote communication, information sharing and best practice between Council Monitoring Officers.

  • Planning & Environmental Law Group

    This is a Group for SOLAR members to share information, issues and best practice relating to, Planning & Environmental law.

  • Procurement Group

    The group considers and discusses current issues relating to public procurement and state aid in local authorities.

  • Trainee and Newly Qualified Solicitors Group

    The SOLAR Trainee Solicitors Group is a secure place for trainee solicitors from Scotland’s 32 local authorities to share and discuss their experiences. This group provides trainees an opportunity to network and communicate with each other, providing a forum to share information, discuss issues and offer general advice

    • Send Email Kate Johnstone, Aberdeen City Council (Chair)
    • Send Email Charlene Tannock, West Dunbartonshire Council(Vice-Chair)
    • Send Email Debbie Polatajko, Perth and Kinross Council (Vice-Chair)
    • Send Email Debbie Grant, Aberdeen City Council (Secretary)