Sara Chandler, the new chairwoman of the Young Solicitors Group (YSG), suggests that the word 'young' could do with some re-definition for those in the group who, like Ms Chandler, qualified later in life.

Speaking at the recent YSG pro bono awards where she took over the top job, Ms Chandler said: 'We may not fit the image of young solicitors in their 20s, but we share the vision and concerns of all newly-qualified solicitors and trainee solicitors'.

The YSG represents solicitors under 36 years, or those who have been qualified for less than five years.

Ms Chandler -- whose age is 'not for publication' -- says those 'young at heart' members bring both experience and expertise to the group.

This is true in her case, as she spent ten years working in law centres as an adviser and then studied for the common professional examination part-time in the evenings.

Her career started at south London legal aid practice Glazer Delmar, where she qualified in 1995, before moving to HCL Hanne & Co.

In September last year, she returned to the not-for-profit sector, and joined Plumstead Community Law Centre in south east London.

She says her work at the centre involves mainly legally-aided cases, particularly welfare rights and housing law.

It is the right time, she says, for someone from her legal background to chair the YSG, as she will preside over the group in the year the Access to Justice Bill, and its legal aid reforms, become law.

These are issues which are much in her mind at the moment, especially as she and her colleagues at the law centre are preparing for a visit by the Legal Aid Board for their pre- contract audit.

She is also working on the YSG's response to the government's plans for the Commu nity Legal Service.

Away from legal aid, the group plans to step up its campaign to persuade the profession that stress is bad both for solicitors and business.

The group is to attack what Ms Chandler calls the 'long hour culture', and proposes to consult its membership on the impact of the working time directive and, in particular, the use of its opt-out provisions.

After it has consulted, it will draw up a 'model' working time policy for law firms.

Ms Chandler is also keen for the YSG to continue its long-standing campaign against partners suing assistant solicitors for negligence.

Earlier in the year, the group funded counsel's opinion on defences to negligence actions (see [1999] Gazette, 21 April, 4), and she says later in the year the group will reinstate a help-line for young solicitors being sued.

Ms Chandler organised the inaugural pro bono awards earlier this month, and says it is a cause for which she has a 'special commitment'.

At the busy evening advice sessions at her law centre, the six full-time staff are helped by two or three lawyer volunteers.

She notes with satisfaction that younger solicitors are increasingly interested in giving their time because of 'a change in attitude and culture' in law firms.

She says: 'They really like doing it.

It gives them a lot of satisfaction that they might not be getting in their day jobs'.