There should be two separate governing bodies for the solicitors' profession - one overseeing regulation and the other representation, a Law Society Council lay member said this week.

Steven Burkeman's comments follow on from his strong attack on the 'disgraceful' way the debate to allow referral fees was guillotined at the December council meeting.

The controversial motion was passed with several members still to speak.

Describing the current structure as 'dysfunctional', Mr Burkeman said there should be separate governing bodies, with a lay majority on the one overseeing regulation.

Mr Burkeman added: 'I think it is accepted by council members that it is inevitable that whatever emerges from the Clementi review, the result will not be anything like the present system.'

Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva said the current governance review under the independent chairmanship of Baroness Prashar will inevitably ask questions about the governance of regulation.

The council will discuss concerns over the way debates are terminated at this month's meeting.

See Letters [2004] Gazette, 5 February, page 14