This is my final diary entry as President of the Law Society as I prepare to hand over office to my successor on 23 July. I have had an incredible 12 months and feel very privileged to have been given such a wonderful opportunity to represent my professional body both at home and abroad.

When I embarked upon my presidential year, I had a strong determination about what I wanted to achieve during this time, not least to take the opportunity to promote the English legal system and all that it represents, as well as extol the virtues of the legal profession as a whole.   I have said many times that I believe we have the best and fairest legal system in the world and our solicitors are some of the most talented and professional you are likely to find and I am even more convinced that this is true as a result of my recent experiences. 

 

The legal profession has seen many changes in the last 12 months and in contrast to the views of many outside individuals and organisations, we have embraced these changes and as a result have been responsible for many improvements to the legal process. However, there are still many changes ahead, including the unprecedented competition faced by the profession from other suppliers of legal services such as Tesco Law. The Legal Services Board are also pressing ahead with the introduction of alternative business structures and time will only tell what benefits and impact they will have on the way legal practices are run and regulated. 

 

There has also been much speculation about the survival of high street practices, but I still believe they are an important and integral part of the communities which they serve. I have had the good fortune to visit almost every part of England and Wales during the last 12 months and I have seen first hand the valuable role that high street solicitors play. Many of them have been providing legal advice to individuals and businesses for many years and in many cases for generations. One of the reasons they survive is because they put their clients first and as a result build up their trust and loyalty. This is one of the reasons why I am looking forward to returning to my grass roots and working for Downs who have been on the high street in Dorking, Surrey for nearly 175 years and continue to prove the point that you don’t need to engage the services of a top London practice to receive the highest level of legal advice.

 

My role has taken me to may different countries and I have met many prominent, and sometimes colourful, individuals. I have shared some interesting discussions and debates along the way which has given me a brief insight into the differing and unique challenges faced by our overseas contemporaries. I have also been extremely heartened to hear first hand the high esteem in which UK lawyers are held by international law firms, businesses and investors.

 

One of the sad facts highlighted during my various visits is the impact the recession is having on the profession, not just at home but worldwide. I have seen first hand the anxiety it is causing and the challenges it is presenting. However, it is evident that those firms who are making sensible decisions to future proof their business during these difficult times will survive. That is not to say that once the recession subsides it will be business as normal. 

 

Even after my term of office comes to an end I will still be closely involved with the Law Society as I will continue to spearhead the conveyancing consultation exercise that was launched back in June. The consultation will review the way in which some elements of the conveyancing process work, and explores moving away from the principle of caveat emptor or ‘let the buyer beware’.

 

The consultation also covers the provision of estate agency services alongside conveyancing services, and developing ways to help solicitors play their role in combating fraud and identity theft. I believe the profession should continue to shape the future of the home-buying and selling process by embracing the opportunity to develop new solutions to help consumers.

 

The results of this consultation exercise will be published on the Law Society’s website – www.lawsociety.org.uk later in the year.

 

I hope you have enjoyed reading my diary over the last 12 months as much as I have enjoyed sharing my experiences with you.   I may also get the opportunity to meet some of you as I take up my new role in Godalming in August.

 

Before I close I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me during the last 12 months, especially my wife Sheila. As the saying goes, “Behind every successful man is a good and wise woman” and that is very true of my situation.