Law Society welcomes new president Andrew Caplen
Hampshire solicitor Andrew Caplen took office as the 170th president of the Law Society during today's annual general meeting.
The new president said access to justice and the preservation of legal aid are his priorities for the year ahead, announcing the Law Society's first access to justice day on 8 September, which will herald the start of a new campaign and a major research programme.
He said:
'Under my leadership, the Law Society will re-focus on access to justice and will continue to fight the erosion of legal aid. I have spent the last 20 years fighting against the cuts, so I know what this is all about, I have lived it.'
'Access to justice ensures the basic functioning of our democratic society, and is what enticed many of us to become lawyers.
As president of the Law Society Andrew will also be placing an emphasis on gender based violence, and specifically commit the Law Society to lobbying the government to amend LASPO so that legal aid is more easily available for victims of domestic violence.
He added:
'I am in a very privileged position to be able to promote and represent the world's best legal profession. This year, I will stand up for that profession and raise awareness of the values and contribution solicitors make in upholding the rule of law, ensuring access to justice and boosting the national economy.'
The new president will be supported by vice president Jonathan Smithers and deputy vice president Robert Bourns.
Notes
Andrew has been the Law Society Council member for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight since 2000. He was one of the co-authors of the Law Society's Access to Justice Review and has written and spoken widely on access to justice and legal aid.
He was chair of the Law Society's Access to justice committee from 2008 until 2012, chair of the Law Society's Management Board and treasurer of the Law Society Group from 2010 until 2012. He also co-chaired the Group's Business Oversight Board during its first year of operation.
Andrew is a consultant with Heppenstalls, a predominantly private client firm in Hampshire with offices in Lymington and New Milton. He was brought up and educated in Hampshire and has worked there throughout his legal career. He is married to Lindsay, an ordained church minister.
