Departing Law Society presidents are always keen to illustrate how committed they have been to the cause of furthering the solicitors' profession over the preceding 12 months. Peter Williamson excelled in that field as he produced an anecdote at last week's council dinner. At some stage last year, Mr Williamson was attending a costs conference at a far-flung provincial venue. Owing to unfortunate scheduling he found himself booked in late at night at what could only be described as a lorry drivers' motel somewhere off the MI. At 4am the fire alarm sounds and the Law Society President finds himself standing in a wet, windswept motel car park in his overcoat and jim-jams. Contemplating just how much he would like to be back in his bed, Mr Williamson is then approached by fellow conference delegate, retired circuit judge and costs guru Michael Cook, who proceeds to engage the president in a protracted discussion about the merits and future of the indemnity principle. Now that is commitment.