The vast majority of practising solicitors in England and Wales supports the continued existence of a national body to represent the profession, Law Society research has revealed.

Some 91% of solicitors and 95% of law firms surveyed by NOP said there was a need for a representative body to service and lobby for all practitioners.


However, solicitors also warned that they wanted a reformed Law Society that is more efficient, responsive and decisive, and more focused on providing membership services. The findings showed that practitioners expected the Society to transform itself quickly, giving it at most 18 months to show progress.


The results were released as the Law Society made its final push in the 'Have your say' consultation, which has so far received a record 11,000 responses and closes on 21 April.


The work falls against the backdrop of the government's proposed reform of legal services. The Law Society has separated its representation and regulation functions and is recruiting new chief executives for the two branches.


The NOP research indicated strong support within the solicitors' profession for on-line services, the Internet being the preferred method of delivery of 62% of respondents.


Meanwhile, only 14% of solicitors said they were actively involved with local law societies.


The Law Society aims to relaunch its representational arm by July 2007. Chief executive Janet Paraskeva said: 'The research findings demonstrate the importance to the solicitors' profession of an effective, national representative body.'


Link: www.haveyoursaylawsociety.org.uk