PRESIDENT: pledge on code of conduct's six core values


The new president of the Law Society promised last week that a key strand of his work over the next 12 months will be 'the promotion and celebration of excellence and innovation' in the solicitors' profession.



Speaking at the Society's annual general meeting, Andrew Holroyd said he wanted 'to draw attention to those solicitors who are addressing the challenges of practice today in imaginative, customer-focused and profitable ways'. He said this work would begin with the Law Society's inaugural excellence awards ceremony in October.



Mr Holroyd, an immigration specialist and a partner at Liverpool law firm Jackson & Canter, added that professional ethics were the backdrop to everything solicitors did - whether providing services to private or corporate clients - and that he would strive to help maintain the six core values espoused by the new code of conduct.



These core values, he explained, were 'upholding justice, the rule of law, integrity, independence and good standards of service, and maintaining public confidence in the work of the profession.'



On the subject of legal aid, he added: 'The mantra that there is no more money is unsustainable and also false economy, which the government will learn to regret if it does not change course.'



Paul Marsh, a consultant at Surrey firm Downs, becomes Vice-President, with Beachcroft partner Bob Heslett replacing him as Deputy Vice-President.



Jonathan Rayner