Solicitors must opt in to groups under new deal

Solicitors will have to'opt in to Law Society groups of which they are currently automatically members, as part of new arrangements between Chancery Lane and its interest groups.

The recognised groups agreement clarifies the relationship between the Society and its groups: the Young Solicitors Group (YSG), the Commerce and Industry Group (C&I), the Sole Practitioners Group, the Local Government Group, the Group for Solicitors with Disabilities and the Association of Women Solicitors.

The agreement also looks to establish 'a clear and well-defined boundary' between the groups and the Law Society.

The groups will have independent identities, seen as important for legal reasons.

So far, only the C&I and Group for Solicitors with Disabilities have not signed.

A C&I spokesman said it will 'very probably' do so.

The arrangement has caused discontent, with some claiming to feel pressured into signing.

YSG chairwoman Jane Russell said: 'A properly functioning democratic system is under a duty to protect all young solicitors, not just those who opt in.' She added that there was concern about the cost of writing to all members about opting in.

A Law Society spokeswoman said: 'We believe that groups are at their most democratic and vibrant when members actively opt in, which is why this requirement is now part of the recognised groups agreement.'

Acknowledging the YSG's concerns, she said it has until 2006 to introduce opt-in, and should be able to alert the membership without undue expense using e-mail and its magazine.

Victoria MacCallum