Regulators launch association to fill gap in the market

Regulatory and disciplinary lawyers have launched an association for practitioners involved across all sectors to fill a gap in the market in specialist representation.

The Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers was launched last week after canvassing for members last year.

More than 250 lawyers joined, representing in-house, private practice and institutional lawyers - including some from the Financial Services Authority - and barristers.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, is the association's president.

It charges annual subscriptions of 20 and will organise a series of regular seminars and newsletters for members.

Lord Woolf will speak at an inaugural dinner in Spring 2003.

Association secretary Rod Fletcher, a partner at London-based firm Russell Jones & Walker, said: 'It tends to be the case that lawyers have operated in the regulatory field without utilising their common skills and resources.'

He said members represented medical, financial, sporting and musical regulators and disciplinary bodies, adding: 'There has clearly been a gap in the market for this group.'

For details contact Mr Fletcher, e-mail: i.r.fletcher@rjw.co.uk

Jeremy Fleming