Law Society reform: council seats for specialist interestsA key element of the Law Society's reform programme is to ensure that its governing council is much more representative of the solicitors' profession.

Therefore, the council is proposing that its present size be expanded up to a maximum of 120 seats - 61 of which would be filled by representatives of constituencies as at present and 39 elected by specialist practitioner groups and sectional interests.

A special general meeting on 28 February 2001 will consider a recommendation to amend the Law Society's Charter to expand the council.This notice invites expressions of interest from specialist groups and associations about council seats.

All submissions must state the number of solicitor members represented; how that figure may be verified; and how the group or association would organise an election of its members.

At present the council has 14 non-constituency seats.

These are set out below.

However, the list in the future may change in the light of the additional seats.l Commerce and industryl Criminal law and legal aid practicel Education and trainingl Ethnic minoritiesl EU mattersl Financial services and investment managementl Insurance mattersl International practicel Local governmentl Newly qualified solicitorsl Prosecution mattersl Sole practitionersl Young solicitorsGroups and associations are requested to submit their applications to Ann Weede at the Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL, DX 56 London/Chancery Lane not later than Friday, 23 March 2001.

Applications will be considered by the council membership committee which will present a recommended list of designated seats to the council at the end of April.

It is envisaged that new council members should be elected in time for the new council round beginning on 1 September 2001.