Preliminary notice of 2003 annual general meeting and council elections

The annual general meeting of members of the Law Society will be held at the Law Society's Hall on 17 July 2003 at 2.30pm.

By-law 17 provides that the business and order of business at an annual general meeting shall be as follows:

- The chair shall be taken under by-law 26.

- Approval of the minutes of the previous general meeting.

- Declaration of persons elected as auditors.

- Declaration of persons elected as members of the council.

- Reception of the annual report of the council.

- Approval of the accounts signed by the auditors (circulated in summary form).

- Any business introduced by the council.

- Appropriate motions under by-law 15(1), the text of which has been published under by-law 16(2).

- Any other business which may, consistent with the charter and by-laws, be introduced.

By-law 15 provides that 30 or more members, or the president and secretary of a local law society authorised to do so, may give written notice of an appropriate motion to be moved at the annual general meeting.

The notice must be received by the chief executive at least 42 clear days before the date of the meeting.

The notice may be accompanied by a statement of not more than 1,000 words relating to the motion.

Under by-law 16(2), only 'appropriate' motions may be included in the notice of the annual general meeting, that is to say motions which in the opinion of the council relate in substance to a matter affecting the affairs of the Society or of the solicitors' profession (see also by-law 95(1)).

The last day by which, in accordance with by-law 14, nominations of candidates for election as auditors and, in accordance with by-law 15, notice of any motion to be moved at the annual general meeting, must be received by the Chief Executive, The Law Society's Hall, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL (DX 56 Lon/Ch Lane) is 4 June 2003.

As required by by-law 57, the table set out above shows the number of vacancies to be filled in respect of constituencies and the reason for each vacancy.

There are also two non-constituency seats representing newly qualified solicitors and the Trainee Solicitors Group (including legal practice course students) which must be filled.

The last day by which, in accordance with by-law 57, nominations of candidates for these vacancies must be received by the chief executive is 4 June 2003.