Ballot papers on Society reform go out to solicitors

Solicitors will receive ballot papers this week as part of the next step towards reforming the Law Society.

The poll follows last weeks Law Society...Solicitors will receive ballot papers this week as part of the next step towards reforming the Law Society.

The poll follows last weeks Law Society Council meeting at which a radical overhaul of Chancery Lanes corporate governance structure was given the go-ahead.The approved structure will see a main board acting within the decision and policy-making framework set out by the council.

It will also co-ordinate and supervise the work of five subsidiary boards.The profession-wide ballot will seek a decision on enlarging the council from 75 to a maximum of 120.

The profession will also be asked to vote on whether up to 5% of the councils membership should for the first time be lay people.

A third change would seestudents allowed to take up seats on the council.

Ballot papers are to be returned by 20 April.See editorial, comment p16Sue Allen