Law Society “disappointed” as members back call for SGM

The Law Society has expressed its disappointment at the prospect of a special general meeting (SGM), after the required 100 members signatures were gathered in less than 24 hours.

The Property Lawyers Action Group (PLAG) has already submitted the paperwork to officials for what will be the first SGM in more than a decade.

PLAG’s motion expresses no confidence in president Nick Emmerson and chief executive Ian Jeffery “to properly and effectively represent those members of the Society who undertake conveyancing”.

Sparked by the revisions to conveyancing forms TA6 and TA7 that support the provision of upfront information in transactions, the move reflects unhappiness about how the vision to reform home buying and selling will affect conveyancers.

A Law Society spokesman said:

“It is disappointing that PLAG has felt it necessary to take this step.

“The transformation of the home buying and selling process is both inevitable and ongoing in our digital age and it is our goal to support the profession to take a leading role in shaping these longer-term changes.

“While solicitors play a very important role in the conveyancing process, the changes are ultimately about making that experience easier and better for buyers and sellers…

“Our focus however remains on supporting conveyancing solicitors and their firms with the transition to using the new TA6 forms and we have developed a range of resources to assist.”

Colin McWilliams, one of the main movers behind PLAG, wrote on LinkedIn that “the rebellion is underway”, saying that it had obtained more than the 100 signatures needed.

McWilliams continued:

“The message to the Law Society couldn’t be clearer.

“Conveyancing solicitors have had enough, and it is no longer safe to underestimate us.”

He added that accompanying the request for an SGM was a request that the revised TA6 be postponed pending the outcome of the vote.

The last Law Society SGM, in December 2013, saw solicitors pass a motion of no confidence in the then president Nick Fluck and chief executive Des Hudson over their handling of negotiations with the Lord Chancellor about changes to criminal legal aid.

Such motions are not binding and neither man resigned as a result.

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