City associates this week called on law firms to 'actively implement' flexible working policies ahead of a Law Society debate on quality of life.


The City of London Law Society's (CLLS) new associates forum also said firms should establish clear systems for the allocation of work and monitoring of workload, carry out annual appraisals and provide training to partners focused on managing associates in addition to trainees.



The debate at Chancery Lane was to focus on quality of supervision, the billable-hours culture and transparency of career paths.



Graham Denny, chairman of the forum and a solicitor at City firm Holman Fenwick & Willan, said: 'The members of the forum are keen to take this work forward with CLLS member firms and other interested bodies.'



Law Society President Fiona Woolf said: '[Recent Law Society research] found that flexible working is an important part of the mix. However, it is ranked below personal access to supervisors, client contact and challenge.'