Solicitors vote on AGM motions

The entire profession is to be balloted on the resolutions put to last week's Law Society annual general meeting, even though they were all heavily defeated.

Members voted down by around three to one each of four resolutions brought by Imran Khan, the London solicitor best known for his work with the family of Stephen Lawrence.

Around 150 solicitors voted.

A fifth motion seeking to censure former Law Society President Robert Sayer was adjourned indefinitely.

This was because of the ongoing mediation involving him, former secretary-general Jane Betts, the Society and former Vice-President Kamlesh Bahl, and the pending appeals of the Watford employment tribunal ruling.

At the outset of the meeting, Society President David McIntosh said he intended to direct postal ballots whatever the outcome of the votes.

The four resolutions spring from claims by their proposers that the Society is institutionally racist, which were vigorously denied at the meeting.

The profession will be asked to decide on: a vote of no confidence in the Society's main board; a 'restoration of democratic principles', which would reintroduce national elections for office-holders; whether to hold an inquiry into allegations of institutional racism; and whether to hold an inquiry into allegations of financial irregularity and improper allocation of funds.

Voting papers will be sent out shortly and the results are expected in September.

Mr Khan accused the Law Society of being 'pale, stale and male', adding: 'The reality is that skin colour is one of the defining facts of life in the legal profession.'

Sadiq Khan, a partner at London firm Christian Fisher, said he was not accusing the Law Society, Council members or staff of being racist; he was just seeking an inquiry which was justified by events.

Former Law Society President Michael Napier said the motions were 'misconceived, even dangerous' and called for his reforms of last year to be given time to bed down.

'Let us work together to make the Society better for all its members,' he said.

Deputy Vice-President Peter Willamson said the Society and profession faced many challenges, one of which was 'to become a leading exponent of diversity and equality'.

Neil Rose