The Law Society is the national representative body for solicitors in England and Wales and is divided at more local levels into regional committees. John had formally been appointed as President of the local Law Society committee on 23rd February 2010, having been nominated by other members of the profession in Chester. The annual Law Society dinner is traditionally where the incoming President speaks for the first time to representatives from the legal profession and their guests. As an event it is an opportunity to get together and share successes and challenges but it is also a chance for the President to set out the goals for the coming year.

Chester & North Wales Law Society is already one of the most active in the country. This has been helped in very recent months by the launch of the local Society’s website which has already begun to aid communication between the committee and the members. Our local Society is also lucky to have one of the committee members on the national Law Society Council which means that local concerns and questions can be heard at the very highest level. All of these factors, in John’s opinion, raise the profile of the local Society and make it of real value to solicitors and their clients alike.

John sees one of his responsibilities as President to make use of and further improve the communication channels that have been set up over previous presidencies so that those who are involved in or use legal services in the Chester & North Wales area can be even better served and supported. The local Society will also be looking to be more actively involved in the provision of training for the area’s solicitors. John is keen to continue the local Society’s impressive reputation for response to and involvement in consultations on the future development of legal services, instigated by organisations such as the Ministry of Justice and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

It is also important for John to seek to develop the already strong links with other professionals in the Chester & North Wales area, many of whom were guests at the recent dinner. Clients who use legal services very often ask solicitors for recommendations for accountants, barristers, estate agents, or surveyors, amongst others. John will be attending many events and meetings over the next twelve months in an effort to strengthen these local professional links and communication.

On his appointment as President, John commented that he “hoped to be able to serve the Society well and build on the excellent educational and communication efforts of the local Society in the previous twelve months. During my six years as a committee member, I have found the local Law Society to be an increasingly important and relevant forum for local solicitors to discuss issues in the profession, especially in relation to new legislation and regulation. I am confident and excited about serving as President and using every opportunity to lobby for the best interests of our clients and for the profession itself."

One of John’s first national meetings will be next week’s gathering of local Law Societies to discuss and learn more about how others approach communications, the provision of service and support to members, and the funding of local Law Societies.

Cullimore Dutton would like to congratulate John on his new role and wish him every success as President!

Denise Woodward, Jackie Rawcliffe and Catherine Hyatt