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Low Society?

09 February 2017 / Dr Jon Robins
Issue: 7733 / Categories: Opinion , Profession
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Jon Robins reports on the latest crisis to hit Chancery Lane

It’s been a shambolic start to the new year at Chancery Lane. “The Law Society’s governance is costly, bureaucratic and does not reflect how successful modern organisations operate,” wrote outgoing chief exec Catherine Dixon in her blistering resignation letter.

Appearing in unedited form in the Gazette on the first working day of the year, it must have left an extraordinary impression on those practice fee paying solicitors not familiar with the internal workings of their representative body. “The Law Society, in my view cannot, because of its current governance arrangements, operate in a responsive and agile way,” continued the chief exec.

Dixon, who was only appointed chief exec in August 2014, reckoned it was “impossible, as an effective CEO, to navigate the complex and often overlapping boards in a way which best serves the organisation and its members”.

The council comprises 100 solicitors, almost two-third represents parts of the country and the rest cover practice areas and demographic groups. There are four boards covering

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Carey Olsen—Kim Paiva

Carey Olsen—Kim Paiva

Group partner joins Guernsey banking and finance practice

Morgan Lewis—Kat Gibson

Morgan Lewis—Kat Gibson

London labour and employment team announces partner hire

Foot Anstey McKees—Chris Milligan & Michael Kelly

Foot Anstey McKees—Chris Milligan & Michael Kelly

Double partner appointment marks Belfast expansion

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