
Please can I draw your attention to the AGM of The Law Society of England & Wales (“TLS”), which will be held online at 2:30pm on Wednesday 14th October. This will be an important meeting, because in addition to approving the Annual Report and the Annual Accounts (uncontroversial) the AGM will also consider two Resolutions for the reform of TLS Council.
Here is a link to the relevant part of TLS website for the AGM Notice and relevant documents: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/news-articles/annual-general-meeting-notice-october-2020
Resolutions 1 and 2
Approval of the Annual Report and the Annual Accounts.
Resolution 3
At a meeting of TLS Council on 8th September 2020, a proposal for the reform of Council was approved. It is now for the membership to consider whether to accept or reject the proposal at the AGM.
The broad thrust of the reforms is to reduce substantially the number of geographical seats and increase the number of seats representing Practice Sectors (e.g. Civil Litigation and Major Corporate (firms with a t/o of more than £35M)) and specific Characteristics (e.g. Women Lawyers and Junior Lawyers (up to 6 years PQE)).
As part of the reforms, the geographical constituency of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, which I represent, will be replaced by Cambridgeshire (including Peterborough) and Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
I voted in favour of the reforms at the Council meeting, but you should of course make up your own minds.
Resolution 4
30 members of TLS (including some members of Council) have put forward a resolution, the principal purpose of which is to restrict members of Council to a maximum term of 12 years.
This would be a very significant reform, because the current position is that Council members are subject to elections every 4 years, but there is no maximum period for remaining on Council.
Registering your attendance
This is mandatory. If you do not register, you cannot attend the AGM. In order to register, you must complete an online form (including your SRA Number). You will have received a link from TLS to do this. But if you haven’t, you can email them for a registration form AGM2020@lawsociety.org.uk.
I hope you attend the AGM.
Warm wishes,
Michael
Cambridgeshire Law Society
C/O Chequers House, 77–81 Newmarket Road, Cambridge,CB5 8EU
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