Society election candidates line up

There will be a contested election for each of the Law Society offices after three candidates this week threw their hats in the ring for Deputy Vice-President.Hilary Siddle (Cumbria and Lancaster) will be up against Carolyn Kirby (Mid and West Wales) and David Savage (Berkshire and North Hampshire).Ms Siddle, who has been on the Society's ruling Council since 1991 and chairs the family law committee, said she wanted 'to get the Law Society working again to give the membership what it wants'.

She continued: 'I have been in practice for over 25 years, am the managing partner of my firm and know all about the problems of practice.'Ms Kirby has been on the Council since last year and chairs the mental health and disability committee.She said her involvement in local law societies gave her 'good grass roots experience...

I am keen to make my contribution and give my support to new, strong leadership of the profession'.Mr Savage, a Council member for ten years, stood for the same post in 1997 but was beaten by current President Robert Sayer.

He said he had an independent view: 'The voice of constructive criticism has to be heard...

I seek to change over a period of time the attitude of the Council from "we can't" to "we can" to "we will".'Mr Sayer is contesting the top post with Michael Napier, while David McIntosh is standing against Tony Bogan for Vice-President.

Neil Rose