Shaping the Future of a New Law Society Review of Professional (non- regulatory) Activities

Background to review ‘Clementi’ means radical change for Law Society Law Society will either lose regulatory role or have it ring-fenced Opportunity to think hard about a new Law Society (NLS) as a free-standing, self-financing, professional body

Background Greater separation of regulation Need - in any case - to modernise non- regulatory activities Some non-regulatory activities are funded at present by practising certificate fee Possibility post-Clementi that all such activities (and law reform) would have to be self financing

Review process ‘Clementi’ outcome not known until end of this year Now undertaking scoping exercise to identify issues for consultation about non- regulatory activities Your views are critical Formal consultation with the profession in 2005

Practice Group Specific Bullet points to be added

Format for today Focused discussion of 6 key themes Discussion of each theme with particular reference to implications for (practice group area) Say what you think, not what you think we want to hear

Professional Services Body: 6 Key themes for discussion 1.What should be the ethos of a credible professional activities body? 2.Should a NLS promote the image of solicitors? 3.How can a NLS best serve different parts of the profession?

6 Key themes (continued) 4.What are the main services members want? 5.What should be the scope of the Society’s law reform/legal policy activities? 6.Would solicitors pay for a voluntary professional activities body?

1. What should be the ethos of a credible professional services body? Promoting solicitors’ interests only? Promoting clients’ interests? Promoting the wider public interest? If more than one of above, how should the balance be struck?

2. Promotion of solicitors’ image and brand What does the brand of solicitor stand for? How can it be promoted to enhance solicitors’ reputation and position in the market place? Is the “Law Society” brand a help or a hindrance to this effort? Should membership of a NLS confer a badge of higher professional standards than the regulatory minimum?

3. Serving different parts of the profession How best to offer dedicated services to different practice areas or demographic segments: Sections, groups, other? How should a NLS most effectively collaborate with outside organisations like specialist associations, local Law Societies, others? Should a NLS provide specialist services to its members – eg training, conferences, information?

4. Desired services Which services would most attract you to subscribe to the NLS? –Gazette and other information channels: e.g. website, communication –Online services –Brand promotion activities –Best Practice advice and information on business development –Training / CPD –Information on international opportunities

Desired services (continued) –Monitoring of key law and legal policy developments (including EU) and lobbying of Government and other decision-makers –Conferences, networking opportunities –Pastoral Care –Career progression advice. –Regional access to key services and facilities –Library / dining / meeting facilities in Chancery Lane

5. Law Reform and legal policy What should be the scope of the Law Society’s law/legal policy reform activities? Should a NLS express views on public- policy matters of indirect interest to solicitors, e.g. Guantanamo Bay? Should law reform be funded by a compulsory levy? Would you pay voluntarily for law reform?

6. Would you pay? Would you join a professional services body for solicitors? Would you pay for membership? Would you prefer an all-inclusive fee or an entry ticket with separate service charges?

Would you pay? Should there be corporate membership as well as individual? Should all solicitors be charged the same, or should some (eg young solicitors, government lawyers) pay less? Should there be associated and international members?

And in General What does a NLS need to do to attract a voluntary membership? Are there any particular features which would be important to you as (reference to particular group)