Civil litigation specialist and self-confessed technology geek Brett Dixon was today inaugurated as the 182nd president of the Law Society of England and Wales. He will be supported through his year in office by vice president Dana Denis-Smith OBE, and deputy vice president Jeff Lewis.
Dixon, admitted in 1999, has extensive experience in civil litigation and is an accredited mediator. Since commencing his career in general practice in Manchester, Brett has worked for firms across Northwest England. He is an honorary professor of law at the University of Leicester, a mediator with Trust Mediation and the legal expert member of the Online Procedure Rule Committee.
Previously, Brett has been the president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. He joined the Law Society Council in 2019 as the representative of personal injury lawyers.
Dixon said: ’I am honoured to serve as Law Society president at a pivotal point for the profession. As artificial intelligence transforms legal practice and digital justice, I will advocate for clear standards, appropriate regulation and responsible innovation.
’As president, I will champion a criminal justice system that is fit for the future, backed by long-term investment, earlier intervention and responsible innovation to break the cycle of crisis management and deliver safer communities.”
’Our civil justice system remains a significant economic asset and supports our country’s reputation as a global centre of dispute resolution, arbitration and litigation. Brett will continue to call for stronger domestic access to justice and to address key structural challenges, including court delays, judicial capacity, possession processes and wider court modernisation.’
As the justice system moves towards mandatory digital processes, Dixon said he will champion the ethical and effective use of technology while ensuring the role of a solicitor remains central. He said he will support members to adapt to technological change, promote discussion on the evolving role of solicitors in an AI world and push for greater clarity on how regulatory standards apply when AI is used.
Supporting people from disadvantaged and lower socio-economic backgrounds into the profession will be a key focus of the presidential year. Dixon will also work to bring disabled members’ voices to the centre of his work through roundtables across England and Wales, using the insights gathered to help shape the Law Society’s resources and support for disabled solicitors.
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