What occupation was a writer to the signet?

[Ros Fornaro]

In the 1841 census Alexander Cassels was described as a writer to the signet.  He was living at 36 Dublin Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Ros

[rory mac]

Hi Ros

A writer to the signet is the same as a solicitor or attorney

cheers
Rod

[Ros Fornaro]

Hi Rod,

Thanks very much.

Ros

[Clare Fowler]

Hi there,

Writer to the signet is not quite the same as a solicitor.  I believe it is a separate profession, with its own society.  Definition attached...

"Writers to the signet were originally clerks who prepared letters under the king's signet seal.  However, when the signet came into widespread use as the means of sealing all summonses to the king's court and all diligences issued by it, they increased in number and, as writers to the signet, not only prepared all summonses and diligences, but acted as agents or attorneys in presenting cases in the Court of Session"

Cheers,
Clare

[Ros Fornaro]

Hi Clare,

Thanks.  That explains the signet which I took as meaning a seal.

Ros

[Forfarian]

My attention has been drawn to this old thread. For the record:

A WS is a Member of the Society of Writers to His/Her Majesty's Signet. This is a voluntary association of lawyers, the majority of whom are or were partners in high-profile law firms in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and there was no requirement for any lawyer to become a member of the Society.

A Writer to the Signet is not "a separate profession". All Writers to the Signet were solicitors, but not all solicitors were/are Writers to the Signet.

If you don't want to believe me see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Writers_to_Her_Majesty%27s_Signet
and the Society's own web site https://www.wssociety.co.uk/about/who-we-are