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During 2006, I believe the Law Society has demonstrated a greater commitment to supporting solicitors and to being an effective voice on the issues affecting your practice lives.

I joined as Chief Executive in September to head up the purely representative body for solicitors. Regulation and representation of solicitors are now separate, allowing the Society to focus very clearly on supporting solicitors and representing their interests to regulators and government.

I hope that you have already begun to see evidence of our new focus through reading Professional Update, our weekly update on the work we do on your behalf.
This week's issue is a summary of our key achievements during 2006.

Through a series of consultations this year, you have told us what you want from the Law Society, and actively engaged with our campaigns on policy issues. To find out more about our work, you can subscribe to a number of specialist newsletters at www.newsletters.lawsociety.org.uk. These newsletters will tell you about future consultations, giving you opportunities to feedback to us and to help shape the future Law Society.

We look forward to being even more effective in 2007.

International

Practice rights in Korea - UK lawyers set to be allowed to work after extensive lobbying by the Law Society

Global practice rights - Society lobbied World Trade Organisation on rights in Asia, the UK and South America.

Practice rights in New York - Admission of lawyers who qualified without law degrees.

Opportunities in Libya - Society worked to open markets.

Removal of EU practice barriers - Society is working with DTI to influence proposed EU Directive on services.

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Legal aid

What Price Justice?
Our campaign to persuade government to guarantee an adequately funded legal aid system.

Un-recouped payments (PDF, 47kb)
Society made proposals to LSC to resolve UPOA problems.

Preferred Supplier Scheme - Society responded to LSC consultation.

Reminder of dedication of legal aid lawyers - Society paid tribute to legal aid lawyers.

LSC unfairly targeting legal aid immigration solicitors - Society wrote to the LSC.

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Criminal

Juries in fraud trials - The Law Society opposes the abolition of juries in complex fraud trails.

Solicitor's safety at police stations - Society and Home Office agreed HO Circular to address safety concerns.

Defendants must be able to choose their own solicitor - Society demanded government drop contentious plans.

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Property

Stamp Duty Land Tax - HMRC agreed to simplify laws following a Law Society campaign, supported by 4,500 solicitors.

Chancel repair liability - Society called for abolition of an uncertain, costly, discriminatory liability.

Home Information Packs
Dry run of Law Society HIP has begun, following our campaign over implementation.

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Family and children

Faster family justice in London - Society campaign to reduce delays in the family courts of central London.

Protecting children's right to legal representation - Society's work on the Child Care Proceedings Review.

Family Law Protocol 2nd Edition - Made available for free to download from our website.

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Dispute resolution

Dispute Resolution Section launched
Society launched first dedicated body for solicitors in this area.

Fast and fair
Our proposals for lower value personal injury claims without raising the small claims limit.

Protecting client privacy
DCA dropped plans to open up court files with retrospective effect after Society legal action.

Conditional fee agreements - Law Society liaised with practitioners over Garret and Myatt.

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Employment

Employment dispute regulations - blessing or curse? - Law Society survey, and representations to DTI.

Employment tribunal forms - Society successfully lobbied to allow in-house software when submitting forms.

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Private client and taxation

Trustee exemption clauses - Society consulted practitioners on current practice to inform our guidance.

Regulation of will writers – Society survey revealed overwhelming public support for regulation.

Taxation of trusts - High profile Law Society campaign led to significant changes to the Finance Bill.

Limited Liability Partnerships and probate - Law Society went to court in key case.

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Mental health

Mental Health Bill - Government got mental health reforms wrong again, said the Law Society.

Mental Capacity Act: Draft Code of Practice - Society responded to government's consultation.

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Anti-money laundering

Lobbying for sensible, reasonable laws
Government agrees not to erode legal professional privilege.

Online discussion forum
Law Society launched a forum to facilitate communication and support between MLROs.

Online reference area - Society created a reference area for money laundering information.

Gatekeeper e-newsletter - Regular newsletter launched, to critical acclaim.

Money laundering burdens - Society lobbies against the placing of unreasonable burdens on solicitors' firms.

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Listening to solicitors

Changing the Law Society - 19,000 solicitors told us to focus on representing them to government and the regulator.

Supporting solicitors - Solicitors ranked the top regulation issues to take up with the regulator and the government.

Legal aid (PDF, 115kb) - Solicitors' views informed the Law Society's legal aid campaign in light of the Carter Review.

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Promoting professional values

Legal Services Bill - Government plans for reform must not damage the independence of the legal profession.

Race Equality Awards - Law Society and Commission for Racial Equality recognised the achievements of the profession.

Defending sole practitioners - Law Society took legal action to ensure CPS continued to give work to sole practitioners.

Unregulated advisors - Society backed information campaign helping consumers choose the right legal adviser.

London Bombings Legal Helpline - Line connecting victims with pro bono advice received over 200 calls.

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