The vice-chairman of the Law Society's Commerce and Industry Group (C&I), Anthony Armitage, is leading an attempted breakaway of its London region to form a rival organisation called the In-House Lawyers Association (IHLA), in a move described as 'deeply regrettable' by the national group.

Mr Armitage, who chairs the London region, resigned from the group's main executive this week after the board called an emergency meeting for later this month to discuss whether his role as director of legal tendering law firm FirstLAW would be compatible with the role of C&I chairman (see [2004] Gazette, 7 October, 8). He was expected to succeed to the post in December.


Mr Armitage said IHLA will operate as a self-governing association for all solicitors who are not 'private practice lawyers' as the term is generally understood. It will be open to members outside London and will be run on a commercial basis.


The C&I London region accounts for slightly more than half of the group's registered membership, with around 1,200 members. All will be asked to confirm that they wish to be members of the new group.


Mr Armitage said: 'For the first time in its history the national group is holding a contested election to appoint the chairman for 2005. I consider it a betrayal of trust.'


He continued: 'The national group has repeatedly resisted London's ideas for changes that would have improved C&I's corporate governance structure. This attitude is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.'


C&I national chairwoman Carol Williams said: 'Mr Armitage's stated intention of taking control of C&I's London region, moving it to a newly-formed and separate organisation, is considered by the board to be inappropriate and deeply regrettable. The board would like to reassure all C&I members - particularly its London membership - that it is business as usual'.