Solicitors' poll supports Society

Solicitors have overwhelmingly voted against a series of resolutions - including a motion of no confidence in the Law Society's main board - in a national postal ballot called at Chancery Lane's last annual general meeting (see [2002] Gazette, 25 July, 6).

Nearly 15,000 practitioners voted, with about 85% rejecting the no-confidence resolution proposed by London-based solicitor and recently elected Law Society Council member Imran Khan.

Solicitors also rejected Mr Khan's three other resolutions.

One would have reintroduced national elections for Society office holders; it was defeated by a margin of 70% to 30%.

Another would have created an inquiry into allegations of institutional racism at the Society; it was rejected by a margin of 83% to 17%.

While the last resolution would have launched an inquiry into allegations of financial irregularity and improper allocation of funds at the Society; it was defeated by a margin of 78% to 22%.

All the motions were defeated at the July AGM, but were put to a national ballot by the then Society president David McIntosh because of the serious nature of the issues.

Commenting on the result, current Society president Carolyn Kirby said: 'Solicitors have shown they have confidence in the way in which the Society and its council operate.

It is now time to concentrate on key issues facing solicitors - providing effective regulation, promoting high standards of services, vigorously representing the profession and ensuring that we implement our equality and diversity framework in all our work.

Our members have sent a clear signal that they now expect us to move on and look forward.'

Reacting to the vote, Mr Khan said: 'I am very disappointed.

But what the turnout shows is that the vast majority of solicitors are not engaging with the processes of the Law Society and that great apathy exists.

There is still a need to continue to deal with the issues that I have raised and that is what I will do.'

Jonathan Ames