A motion calling on the Law Society to express its outright opposition to home information packs (HIPs) was defeated by a 2:1 margin in the council after a debate heavily curtailed by time pressures. Council member Michael King laid the motion and said a clear signal was needed that 'HIPs are fatally flawed'. He claimed there was a perception that the Society's position had shifted as a result of commercial considerations arising from the launch of its own HIP. Incoming deputy vice-president Paul Marsh said it was 'nonsense' to suggest the Law Society had not been at the forefront of opposition to HIPs, 'but at the same time none of us should have any illusion that the government wants to impose them'. It was incumbent on the Society to put a strategy in place that would protect solicitors in the post-HIPs world. 'We are involved in a bare-knuckle fight in the high street over a £2 billion business,' he said.