Week beginning: 16 December Special general meeting In this week’s From the president, it is only appropriate that I reflect on the special general meeting (SGM) held on Tuesday 17 December and its outcome. An SGM was called to consider a motion of no confidence in the Society’s handling of the proposed criminal legal aid…

Free PII bulletin: download the new edition This year a number of transitional arrangements had an impact on solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance (PII). In the twelfth edition of Insurance Matters, we take stock of this year’s renewal season and look at how the market and new rules are likely to develop in the coming years….

Law Society Council commits to ongoing lobbying on legal aid proposals The Law Society Council yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to direct engagement with the Ministry of Justice on proposed changes to legal aid in order to secure the best possible deal for all of its members and to ensure continued access to justice. In a…

A year ago in a 60 second interview for The Voice newspaper, I was asked to name my most inspiring solicitor or lawyer of all time. Without hesitation I said that it had to be Nelson Mandela. In 1985 I had just passed my Solicitors Finals and I particularly remember the letter he gave to…

My weekly presidential newsletter went out yesterday shortly before the sad news of Nelson Mandela’s death. In these circumstances, I think it right to issue an additional president’s update. Nelson Mandela was a lawyer. He spent his life defending human rights and the rule of law. He campaigned for democracy, freedom and equality under the…