The Law Society's media relations strategy for dealing with the complaints of alleged breaches of its Dignity at Work Policy is to maintain a policy of confidentiality to the parties.

Two short statements from the Society have emphasised that: 'The Society is determined to deal with the matter in a manner fair to all the parties and consistent with the principles of natural justice.'Four weeks on, we've seen a spate of articles in the national papers, peppered with headlines referring to 'farce' and 'soap operas'.

Those who care about the reputation of the Society -- and its knock-on effect on the standing of the profession -- can only regret that some of those connected to the parties have not maintained confidentiality.It is important for our members to know that despite the media frenzy our day-to-day work for the benefit of the profession continues.

Here are some of the other stories:-- The Society has lodged a realistic but substantial claim for an increase in legal aid rates and next week meets Lord Chancellor's Department minister David Lock on the issue.-- The Society has lobbied hard and effectively on the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill, in co-operation with 15 other organisations.

On Thursday we expect the Government to suffer a major embarrassment -- if not a defeat -- on this retrograde legislation.-- On judicial appointments, several organisations have followed the Society's call for the abolition of 'secret soundings' and have withdrawn from the soundings.

This week the Society lodges its response to the report by Sir Leonard Peach's enquiry on the Scrutiny of Judicial Appointment and Queen's Counsel Selection Procedures.

Our response calls on the Lord Chancellor to begin a consultation on the creation of an independent judicial appointment commission.

A vital step if solicitors are to have a fair crack at seeking judicial appointments in the higher courts.-- The transition to the new arrangements for indemnity insurance are proceeding smoothly and on target for their implementation on 1 September 2000.

St Paul International has been selected as the insurer which will underwrite the managing general agency.

An information programme has begun providing principals in good time with the information they need to make a choice about which arrangement -- the managing general agency or another approved insurer -- would suit them.-- The Society's Law Management Section has just registered its 1,000th member.The Law Society Council, the executive committee and the Society' staff are working hard to make the Society an efficient organisation that delivers excellent service to its members.

Some examples include: -- 1999 saw the best-ever turnaround on renewal of practising certificates with 90% of certificates issued by 1 January 2000, compared with 63% on 1 January 1999.

-- Local law societies and other interested groups in the profession are being consulted on the principles and approach to rewriting the rules of professional conduct.

The aim is to have a clear, simple set of rules that will be easily understood by members of the profession and clients alike.

(A copy of the consultation paper is available on the Society Web site at www.action.lawsociety.org.uk or can be obtained by telephoning 0171 242 1222 ext.

3270 or 3343.)-- An extensive programme of customer focus training is under way, engaging every member of staff in how we can deliver better service.-- It is early days at the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, with no room for complacency, but the Society has recruited an additional 100 caseworkers and 50 extra administrative staff in the drive to meet the target of reducing the backlog to 6,000 complaints by December 2000.So the business of the Law Society goes on.

Let's hope the tribunal of enquiry, chaired by Lord Griffiths, set up to deal with the allegations, conducts its business promptly.

It is time to let the tribunal get on with its job away from the glare of misguided publicity.

And, meanwhile, at the Law Society we will get on with our core function: serving solicitors, serving society.