Law Society under fire for banning pro-marriage conference

The Law Society has been criticised by Christian Concern for banning a conference which would have discussed ways of rallying support for traditional marriage.

Mr Justice Coleridge, who set up the Marriage Foundation last month, an independent charity which aims to reverse the trend of marital breakdown, was due to speak at the event.

Christian Concern said the event would have been a 'colloquium' on the issue of marriage, entitled 'One man. One woman. Making the case for marriage for the good of society'.

Andrea Williams, chief executive, said she would not be 'hounded out of a legal institution for holding a debate on marriage'.

Williams went on: 'Some speakers and delegates won't necessarily share the view of Christian Concern. The Law Society is banning the debate '“ and since when can debate be against diversity?

'This action by the professional body of thousands of solicitors across the UK, all of whom would be supportive of 'free speech', demonstrates how discussion on traditional views of marriage is being shut down before any change in the law to redefine marriage has come into force.'

Willams added: 'Of all the places in society where you might expect freedom of debate to be protected, the regulatory body of the legal profession would surely be at the top of the list!

'A lot of lawyers will be very alarmed by this and ashamed of their regulatory body for taking such action.'

Des Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society, said: 'We are proud of our role in promoting diversity in the solicitors' profession and felt that the content of this conference sat uncomfortably with our stance.

'Through our events and venues supplier, we have offered to assist the organisers in identifying an alternative, non-Law Society venue.'

A spokesman added that the society hosted marriages for heterosexual couples and civil partnership celebrations in its common room, reading room and old council chamber.