President Report to AGM 2008 by Julian Young

President’s Report

As my third term as President of the West London Law Society comes to an end I would like to pay public tribute to all members of the Committee without whose hard work, on top of busy professional duties, the West London Law Society would not exist.

Our programme has been varied and interesting, a tribute to the immediate past President and everyone involved in organising it.  The events have related to such diverse issues as family law, commercial law, and land law as well as the annual, and highly entertaining, lecture from District Judge Stephen Gerlis on developments in civil law.  All of the sub-committees have met and are cooperating to produce the programme for 2008 – 2009 which should be a model for other local Law Societies; varied, interesting and, in places, amusing.

On a personal note, during my Presidential year, I attended the University of Hertfordshire at the invitation of Dr Klearchos to give a lecture ‘Who Dares Wins’.  The subject was not military, as one might expect from the topic title, but dealing with mock trials involving law students, school students, pupil Barristers, trainee Solicitor Advocates and new police officers.  Whilst I cannot say that my ‘advocacy’ was outstanding, I have been invited to return to give another lecture this year!

In view of the fact that my expertise is in criminal Legal Aid matters, I feel that I can comment upon the performance of the Legal Services Commission over the last year.  For once in my professional career, I am almost speechless.  The future is not, as the well-known advert suggests, orange, but grey and depressing.  For some reason, no doubt allied to the fact that defence Solicitors and payments to them do not appeal to voters, we are expected to take reductions in income for ever -increasing responsibilities and work. 

In West London, the Solicitors have a proud tradition of public service, assisting and advising the most disadvantaged members of society, frequently in unsocial hours.  In family and criminal matters especially, West London Solicitors have worked hours which match those of the most senior in the City and ar4e forbidden to medical practitioners, but at a fraction of the remuneration.  The clients expect and have received a Rolls-Royce service and we have been remunerated with sufficient to pay for a Ford Fiesta.  The Government has relied upon the professionalism of Solicitors – although I wonder for how much longer this can continue.

I have never seen the Solicitors side of the profession so despondent, with over regulation, lack of public support or support from the Government, and longer hours worked for less remuneration.  The losers are, in the West London Law Society area, the Solicitors; the clients have not and, I hope, will never suffer.

Nevertheless, the West London Law Society continues, through the good offices of our Law Society Council Members, to press for changes in the system and for the Law Society to challenge the Government as is appropriate.  In my opinion, all members of the West London Law Society can rest assured that the fight for justice for all will continue under the guidance of our next President.

Although this may all make somewhat depressing reading, and in spite of what is happening in my area of expertise, I have deemed it a privilege to be a solicitor, with the responsibilities that this professional status carries, and an honour to lead the West London Law Society in the last year.

I wish the West London Law Society all the best for the future and will offer all my support to your new President and the new committee.

Julian Young