Pressing issue

In the interests of press freedom, it is time for the Law Society to give up its ownership of the Gazette.

The Society has worked hard in recent years to be more open and accessible.

That is a good thing.

Likewise, the public interest requires a robust and enquiring legal press to cut through layers of spin.

The Society says that it is keen to open up to the profession and the consumer.

Relinquishing ownership of the Gazette would be a significant step towards modernising the Society and exposing its business and policies to greater public scrutiny.

The Society makes several million pounds a year from the Gazette.

It is such a big money-spinner that disposing of it would be a wrench.

I can see the Society being reluctant to divest itself of such a prized possession.

But, in the public interest, it is time that it should do so.

Christopher Digby-Bell, Law Society Council member, City of London