Like many institutions, the Law Society – and indeed the Gazette – get occasional stick for being allegedly metro-centric. Unfairly, of course – here in Chancery Lane we are perfectly cognisant of the world of flat hats and whippets that begins 100 metres north of the M25. And, contrary to rumour, the hostelries of WC2 welcome our country cousins as long as they don’t hold up everyone else’s drinking by protesting volubly at the price of every pint.

Regional sensitivities were on the agenda at last week’s Law Society Council meeting, at which the body discussed whether it should do more to promote geographical inclusion. For example, by – gasp – meeting regularly in cities other than London.

The idea springs from the success of a gathering in Cardiff last summer. Former president Carolyn Kirby, a member for mid and west Wales, said the idea was not just to see the west side of the Severn bridge, but to remind everyone that the Society covers two countries.

With that precedent in mind, members enthused about the myriad attractions of Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool. How­ever the proposals met with a chilly but sensible response – the cost of sending the Council on tour wouldn’t go down well with the profession in these lean times. Fraser Whitehead, Holborn representative, had the answer: as a meeting in England outside London would be mere ‘tokenism’, the obvious venue would be Brussels, where the Society has an office.

The topic will be back on the agenda in March, but we suggest getting in training for some heavy dinners now.