Consultation shows solicitors support Society reformsPlans to reform the corporategovernance of the Law Society received a boost this week when the results of a consultation showed overwhelming solicitor support for them.The consultation findings - released in advance of a Law Society council meeting this week in Grantham - showed that 82% of the respondents backed the fundamental objectives of the reform package.The consultation drew responses from 1265 individual solicitors, six Law Society groups and 20 local law societies.Some 65% supported the proposal to increase the size of the council from its current 75 members to a maximum of 120; another 75% agreed that the relevant practitioner associations should appoint the council members for specific practice areas; and 85% agreed with the idea of the creation of a main board which would act as a 'cabinet' in support of the council and with the appointment of boards to oversee individual functions.There was also considerable support for a proposed complaints redress scheme.

Three-quarters backed the idea of appointing a lay commissioner and 69% supported the inclusion of minor conduct and negligence matters in the scheme.Nearly 90% of respondents supported the 'polluter pays' principle, whereby costs would be imposed on law firms against which complaints are upheld.Law Society President Michael Napier, who has pushed the reform package, responded enthusiastically to the consultation results.

Writing in this issue of the Gazette, he said: 'There is a clear appetite for the overall thrust of the reforms.

It is now up to council to take the decisions that will bring us to the final stage of implementation.'If the council gives the go-ahead this week, it is likely that a special general meeting will be called in February.

If the package wins approval then, it is expected that implementation will commence in March.See President's column, p22