Freemasonry will no longer be specified as one of the interests members of the Law Society Council have to declare after the governing body changed its approach - in part to reduce the risk of potential legal action.

A code of practice on declarations of interest, agreed in December 2003, was amended last week to remove specific reference to Freemasonry; instead it now refers to membership of a private society or private club which has entry requirements for membership.

Entry requirements do not mean the obligation to pay a subscription or sign terms and conditions of membership.

A paper before the council said internal legal advice had indicated that identifying Freemasonry could breach the European Convention on Human Rights.

In addition, the United Grand Lodge of England has told the Law Society it would pursue the issue rigorously, and through the courts if necessary.

The paper said that while the Society would not back down from a decision simply because of an unspecified threat of legal action, 'it would be prudent to consider modifying the council's approach to reduce the risk'.

There was a compromise effort in accompanying guidance to use Freemasonry as an example of the kind of society that should be declared.

This also failed after objections raised by Freemasons on the council, led by John Holder (who represents Kent), who described it as a 'slightly spiteful' addition, and his seconder, Michael Singleton (North Middlesex).