Law Society prepares to welcome 1,000 solicitors to SGM

Chancery Lane is negotiating with suppliers to install video screens linking some of its biggest rooms to accommodate more than 1,000 solicitors at next month's criminal legal aid special general meeting.

Chief executive Des Hudson told Solicitors Journal this morning that if the numbers were any higher the SGM, which will consider a motion of no confidence in the society's leadership, may have to be transferred to another venue.

Hudson urged all solicitors wanting to attend the SGM to preregister with the society, at the latest by 5 December, so an alternative venue could be booked if required and it would not be necessary to adjourn the meeting.

"I don't want to disenfranchise those who oppose the Law Society's position," he said.

Hudson said that the earliest a ballot of the entire profession could be held in the wake of the SGM would be the end of January. He said that this would be carried out online, saving half the cost of a postal ballot, but even then could cost from £25,000 to £50,000.

Under the society's rules, a ballot of the entire profession can be demanded by 25 per cent of the solicitors present at the SGM, or only 20 of them, whichever is the fewer.

"They could raise any special issues they would like, but it's more likely that it would be on the motion put to the meeting," Hudson said.

He rejected criticisms by Liverpool solicitor advocate James Parry, who led the campaign for an SGM, that the timing of the meeting and the 10.30 start would make it difficult for solicitors from the north to attend.

"I travel very regularly from the north of England," Hudson said. "It is possible to make it to London by public transport on the date from the north or the south. I know a number of colleagues who have already booked.

"Setting the SGM for the first available date under our constitution seemed to be the proper and honourable thing to do.

Hudson said justice secretary Chris Grayling was likely to make a statement on criminal legal aid either just before parliament rises for Christmas or early in the New Year.

"The decision to hold this meeting on 17 December is about doing it at the earliest opportunity so that if the council wants to consider the result and communicate it to the Lord Chancellor, it could do so as soon as possible.

"Far from this being Machiavellian behaviour on the part of the Law Society, it is entirely the reverse.

"To call council on the same afternoon is not for a nefarious purpose, but to give it the first opportunity to consider the decision and what, if anything, they should do about it.

"Council members are entitled to be there for the SGM - it's not something the Law Society is taking a position on.

"The Law Society, as always, is doing the right thing."