The Law Society's Commerce & Industry Group (C&I) has called an emergency board meeting to discuss whether vice-chairman Anthony Armitage's status as director of legal tendering company FirstLAW should prevent him from succeeding to the position of chairman in December.

Members of the board have expressed concerns that Mr Armitage's role at FirstLAW, which provides a tendering and audit service for general counsel, could lead to a conflict of interest if he becomes C&I chairman.



Armitage: ‘there is no conflict’
The emergency meeting follows a proposal at an earlier board meeting - which was not put to a final vote - to restrict membership of the group to the definition of employed solicitors contained in the employed solicitors' code. This would exclude Mr Armitage from membership of the C&I Group altogether, because FirstLAW is classified as a law firm.


Mr Armitage, who is also chairman of the C&I's London group, maintains that his relationship with FirstLAW does not constitute a conflict and that the meeting - to be held in Leeds on a Friday evening - will be difficult for London board members to attend.


He said: 'Some board members believe I stand to gain from becoming chair, but I have never used my position in C&I to promote FirstLAW. There is a lack of trust. FirstLAW does not charge a fee to in-house lawyers and there is no conflict.'


He continued: 'There is very little doubt that this meeting will be an ambush.'


Mr Armitage added that London had become the largest region under his leadership, with an active programme of events.


Sarah Sheehan, C&I chief executive, said: 'Some board members have recently expressed concerns over a possible conflict of interest between FirstLAW and the impartial role of C&I chair.


'[The C&I] represents in-house lawyers and board members are committed to ensuring that the activities of the group are, at all times, subject wholly to the interests of the membership.'


She added: 'The choice of date and venue for this board meeting was made because many board members will already have plans to be in Leeds for a number of C&I activities. Board members who cannot attend in person are invited to join by telephone conferencing.


'Mr Armitage is a valued member of the C&I board and has contributed immensely during the past three years.'