New Law Society president takes office

The Law Society has appointed a new president - Allen & Overy consultant and former partner John Wotton. He takes over from current president Linda Lee (see "Law Soc inaugurates new president"). 

Commenting on the challenges faced by the legal profession in the future, Wotton said: "Our profession stands on the cusp of change. There is greater competition in the legal market than ever before and significant new entry can be anticipated over the coming years, under the alternative business structure regime. A new style of regulation will begin to operate in October, which will place a greater onus of self-assessment on practitioners and firms. Changes to legal aid and the civil costs regime will also have a major impact on the business models of many firms. We already have great support from City firms and I will be seeking to develop further the society’s relationships with corporate practices and in-house lawyers. I am sure that, working in close cooperation with local law societies and other representative bodies, our regulators and other key stakeholders, we will help the profession to thrive in a new competitive environment."

Wotton will be supported by vice-president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff and deputy vice president Nick Fluck.