Members have rejected changes to the Law Society model that included creating an affiliate category for non-solicitors.

In all, 17,568 eligible votes were cast, 12.7% of the voting papers sent out. Some 59.5% of solicitors voted against the plans, with 40.5% in favour.

Law Society President Paul Marsh said: ‘It’s disappointing but understandable in these difficult times that there was such a low turnout for this vote. However, the steer from the voters is clear and we will take account of that as we continue to develop the Society to support solicitors.’

The plan would have allowed non-solicitors to have a relationship with the Society without becoming members or having voting rights.

The Law Society will now consider its options. Kevin Martin, chairman of the membership board, said: ‘I am disappointed by this result. Support from the Society will need to change as legal practices evolve following the implementation of the Legal Services Act… The membership board will now consider different ways of supporting the profession.’

North London sole practitioner Vivien Stern, one of the 20 solicitors who forced the postal ballot, said she was pleased with the result.

‘This demonstrates the importance of putting important issues out to a postal ballot,’ she said. ‘It shows that members of the Society who are not council representatives may hold different views.’

See Opinion.