When Law Society Council members and local law societies were consulted by Chancery Lane's interim executive committee (IEC) on the issues that should form the strategic priorities of the Society's work, both ranked the future of high street practice within their top four.

This strategy is of direct concern to the majority of the profession as the bulk of the 84% of all firms which have five or fewer partners provides what the Law Society's high street task force considers to be 'high street' services.It is of concern to the public, as it is widely accepted that people should have ready access to quality legal advice and services throughout their lifetime so that their needs relating to domestic, consumer and commercial affairs are met.The objective of the high street task force is to make recommendations to the Council as to how the Society might help high street firms operate more effectively, obtain business and generate profit.

What can the Law Society do to support such firms? What should they reasonably expect from the Society?There is ample evidence that this part of the profession, possibly the most conservative, considers itself threatened and vulnerable not least as a result of re-organisation of the legal aid scheme, changes in funding methods for litigation, consolidation of the conveyancing process and rising consumer expectation.

Although these firms are generally small, there are increasing numbers of well organised, sizeable, possibly multi-branch firms in which potential economies of scale conflict with the difficulties inherent in the large-scale delivery of personal services.

All face new competition from estate agency-led property transfer arrangements, non-lawyer advisors, negotiators and intermediaries.What are the particular difficulties now facing the high street? Are they widespread? What is the most urgent? The task force will take a systematic approach to answering these questions.

At this stage it cannot yet propose solutions.

The approach it has adopted is to examine research data to determine the extent of the challenges.

It will see whether they are experienced equally across the country and if there are significant differences that can be attributed to the size of firm, partnership structure, or type and nature of the firm's activities.When the task force has identified the issues and understands their impact on firms, it will know the extent to which they are externally or internally driven.

Then the task force will focus on the strategic options open to the Society that will form its recommendations to the Council for action.

For example, firms may require specific market and management information or the opportunity to access verified sources of expertise.

Particular problems may be solved by changes in regulation or as a result of collective representation.The task force will commission professional research where necessary and it invites comments -- whether as bullet points or more detailed observations -- from interested parties.

It will consult widely, working in partnership with the other Law Society task forces charged with issues relevant to the future of high street practice and will share its findings at an early stage.The task force is surveying local law societies and special interest groups for their views and suggestions, and it will arrange meetings for that purpose.

It is also consulting with other professional bodies and outside organisations which have an influence on t he future of high street practice.The task force particularly welcomes contributions from individual solicitors who have observations or points to make.

Solicitors should contact the task force through Rebecca Bramble; tel: 0171 242 1222, ext 4856 or by e-mail: rebecca.bramble@lawsociety.org.uk