Sayer promises reforms as he seeks second year as presidentLaw Society President Robert Sayer finally ended the speculation and this week declared his intention to run for an unprecedented second year in office.In a letter to all Society Council members, Mr Sayer said he wishes to remain as president to push through 'radical reform' at Chancery Lane, which is needed to stop the profession from being 'either indifferent to it [the Law Society] or actively hostile'.The letter continued: 'Without continued pressure in the right direction, the efforts of the last five years could still evaporate and I therefore do not think it would be right for me to walk away with the job half done.'In a bid to avoid a contested election, Mr Sayer invited Vice-President Michael Napier and David McIntosh, newly-elected Deputy Vice-President, to remain in post during his second year.Speaking this week, Mr Sayer said he hoped people would 'take time to consider the proposal and think it through properly'.

He said he hopes there will be no challenge 'if people accept the logic behind the proposal and that my motives are honourable, decent and made for the right reasons'.Mr Napier declined to comment except to say that he was 'carefully considering the position'.Mr McIntosh, who took up his post last month, said he was as surprised as every other Council member to receive the letter.

'I am somewhat disappointed as a new office holder that [Mr Sayer] did not think it proper to give me any advance warning,' he said.Council members have expressed differing views on Mr Sayer's announcement.

Paul Pharaoh (Birmingham and District) said he felt Mr Sayer 'did not enjoy the confidence of the Law Society's Council, a substantial part of the profession or the significant external stakeholders.

The current problems of the Law Society are unlikely to be resolved until we have a president who does attract that confidence'.Tony Bogan (Surrey) said he thought Mr Sayer's decision was 'absolutely right' and had been made for the good of the profession.

'He is a man who has driven reform for as long as he has been at Chancery Lane and he needs to see it through.'But Ed Nally (Central Lancashire and Northern Greater Manchester) said the dignity at work issue involving Kamlesh Bahl had forced him to the reluctant conclusion that it is 'time for a complete change at the top'.

Mr Sayer had been a 'catalyst for change', he said, but the time has come for him to move on.Sue Allen