Williamson pledges access

SOCIAL JUSTICE: new Law Society President calls for investment in publicly funded services

Peter Williamson took over as Law Society President last week with a promise to represent all solicitors and work to show the profession can regulate itself effectively.

Speaking at the Society's annual general meeting, Mr Williamson, who is 55, said he would be reminding the government of the commitment Tony Blair made before coming into office in 1997.

'He said that improving access to justice is an essential part of Labour's commitment to social justice.

Despite this, many vulnerable people are finding it increasingly difficult to access the legal advice they need.

The government needs to reconsider its investment in publicly funded legal services.'

Mr Williamson said it is also time for the profession to look at the way it works with consumers.

'We must strive to reduce the number of complaints and ensure that the public is confident that the Law Society is dealing properly and swiftly with solicitors who fail to provide a professional service.' Acknowledging the breadth of the issues the profession faces, he said he would aim to move forward debates on issues such as competition legislation and a modernising agenda both in the training and education of those joining the profession and in the development of practice.

He added: 'I will continue to press for further liberalisation of legal services markets overseas and do all I can to increase awareness of European law and its impact on all types of practice.'

Mr Williamson qualified in 1972 and is a recorder in the Crown and county courts.

He joined Lincoln's Inn firm Dawsons as head of litigation in 1991 and is now a consultant .

Ed Nally of Bolton-based Fielding Porter took over as Vice-President, while Kevin Martin, a consultant at Lodders in Stratford-upon-Avon, became Deputy Vice-President.

Meanwhile, the profession is to be balloted on a motion passed at the AGM that Law Society Council members can choose to be compensated directly, rather than the money going to their firms or employers.

The 2001 AGM agreed the principle of council member compensation, and earlier this year the council voted for a scheme that would see them paid a basic 3,000 a year.

The compensation scheme will cost 319,000 in total.

It is going to a postal ballot because of council members' vested interest.

Neil Rose