The Law Society Council voted last week to set up a regulatory affairs board to represent solicitors' interests in dealings with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Legal Complaints Service and other regulatory bodies.


In addition to establishing a strategic approach to such representation, the new board will be tasked with producing effective responses to the increasing number of consultations launched by those bodies. It will liaise with the Society's other boards, committees, specialist groups and associations as appropriate. The board will also oversee the Society's work in relation to the evolving structure for regulation of legal services.



The chairman and seven other members of the board will be elected from the council, with up to three additional members co-opted.



A proposal by council member Linda Lee for a sunset clause stating that the board should cease to exist after a year unless renewed, was rejected.



Jonathan Rayner