The Faculty of Advocates ensures that the people of Scotland, regardless of wealth, background or location, have access to the very best independent, objective legal advice. The Faculty has been at the forefront of legal excellence since 1532 and regulates the training and professional practice, conduct and discipline of advocates. As well as ensuring excellence in the specialist field of courtcraft, the Faculty is constantly evolving and is at the forefront of innovations in alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration and mediation. Members of the Faculty have access to the country's finest legal resource - the Advocates' Library and the Faculty provides a collegiate atmosphere which allows advocates to exchange views in a way that gives them a unique insight into the law and helps ensure that they are always at the leading edge of analysis.