Many solicitors see the Law Society as out of touch with their interests, and urgent reform is needed to restore confidence, writes Peter Fowler

The proposed Clementi reforms for the legal profession offer a genuine opportunity to reshape the Law Society into an organisation that is truly representative of solicitors.


The striking feature of conversations with practising solicitors is the widespread opinion that the Law Society has become expensive to run, overly bureaucratic and out of touch with its members.


Solicitors genuinely appreciate the considerable amount of work put in by committed Law Society Council members and office holders but it must be a matter of concern that, despite this, the feeling of remoteness and unaccountability persists.


With the splitting of the current regulatory, complaints and representative roles we now have a unique opportunity to restore confidence by designing a Law Society to meet our requirements and break free of the straightjacket that restricts true representation.


There is need for a genuine debate and all solicitors should present their views to Chancery Lane. Here is a template for reform to assist the debate:


  • The new structure should consist of an elected council with members from the existing geographical constituencies who form the direct link between solicitors and Chancery Lane. This council - consisting of not more than, say, 65 representatives - will ensure manageability. The current structure is too large and unwieldy.



  • The existing non-constituency seats should mirror the current parliamentary system of lobbying MPs on specific issues, possibly with a constitutional right to present papers to the council.



  • The council should be presided over by a president, vice-president and deputy vice-president, as now, but elected to office effectively for three years by all Law Society members with the key election being for deputy vice-president.



  • The council should determine policy through its existing committee structure with a permanent executive whose brief is to deliver council policy.



  • The new representative Law Society should aim to be self financing by developing its commercial activities and offering a range of discounted services to members by negotiating deals with suppliers. The annual budget will be vastly reduced as there will be no responsibility for regulation or complaints.



  • The existence of all the regional offices should be reviewed, possibly with a view to discontinuance. Support should be given to revitalise inactive local law societies, possibly through regional associations, with a view to re-engaging with disillusioned members. It is vital to give solicitors a genuine sense that their views will not only be canvassed, but also acted on. It is only by energising individual solicitors locally - by giving them confidence that their views are worthwhile - that we will overcome the apathy created by the current remote and centralised organisation.



  • To develop consumer confidence in our services in a more competitive and demanding environment we must promote our integrity as a profession and pressure the government on important issues such as claims farmers and will-writers. These issues are vital for consumer protection.



  • We must also be seen vigorously to oppose ill-conceived and poorly worded legislation while at the same time working with government to promote good governance.



    • It is to be hoped that our representative body will truly present our views and promote our 'brand' for the benefit of solicitors and consumers. A profession with more than 100,000 members should be able to provide a new model Law Society to satisfy these basic requirements.


    Peter Fowler is President of the Bournemouth and District Law Society