THE FUTURE OF THE MEMBERSHIP

The way in which the profession is governed and solicitors are trained is changing.  Information about these changes and their effect can be found in this section of the website (please visit the Clementi Review and Training Framework Review pages).  These changes mean that the TSG will need to change to reflect or accommodate any amendments in governance and training.

The Law Society has now completed their "Have Your Say" consultation.  The Draft Legal Services Bill has now been published by the DCA.  These important changes affect the backdrop to which the TSG operate.  The provision of legal services is changing and new practice structures and delivery methods will change the way the profession operates.  The regulation/representation split between the Law Society and the Regulation Board means that the Law Society will focus on representing its members and providing them with services and assistance which they require. 

These factors all have a knock on effect on the way in which the TSG must work in the modern legal world and affect its 'recognised group' status relationship with the Law Society.  The TSG as a group would prefer to be proactive rather than reactive.   It is fair to say that change is part of the legal landscape at the moment, and we are adapting to fit in with the way in which the profession will be moving forward.

To this end, we began discussions with the Law Society and the Young Solicitors' Group.  These discussions have lead to the mooting of the creation of a completely new entity.  This body will be a representative arm or division of the Law Society which will encompass the membership of both the TSG and the YSG.  The aim is to continue representation at the level at which it currently stands - i.e. separate representation for the marginalised elements of the existing membership.  This means that students, trainees, paralegals and NQs will continue to be represented in this new structure.  However, the new body will be more effectively able to represent its members due to certain economies of scale and scope.  Unique membership services provided by the Groups will continue.

The TSG made the decision to proceed with this new structure, subject to governance, on 1 July 2006.  What this means is that the TSG will enter into this new structure if a way can be found for the Groups to be able to operate together without any loss of representation or member services.  If it looks as though this new division will be unable to work, then the TSG will back out and continue as a separate (all be it, changed) entity.

Current Position

These discussions focussed on the function of the New Section.  It was agreed that an auditing procedure would be undertaken by the Groups, and they would reconvene to consider the results.  The next meeting is on 16 December 2006, when the New Section will begin to define its function.  Only once the function has been determined will the structure be able to be designed.

The Working Party members upon creation were:

1  Genevieve Monclin (now immediate Past-President of the TSG)

2   Katherine Gibson (now immediate Past-Policy Director of the TSG)

3  Tola Longe (TSG NC Member)

4   Nathalie Potin (TSG Member)

Since Handover, the Working Party has changed and the members are now:

1. Melissa Worth (President of the TSG)

2. Akaego Ugwu (Policy Director of the TSG)

The focus of the Working Party at the moment is to establish a workable structure for the New Section.  This will then go to consultation with the membership of the Groups, to determine views and responses.  Once this is complete, the idea is to implement the New Structure as soon as possible.  The Law Society have mentioned a roll-out date of July 2007.

Fiona Woolfe gave a talk on the future of the TSG on 27 January 2006.  Slides from her presentation can be viewed here.