Law Society welcomes its 170th president

Hampshire-based solicitor Andrew Caplen has taken office as the 170th president of the Law Society during last week's annual general meeting.

The AGM saw Caplen state that access to justice and the preservation of legal aid will be his main priorities for the coming year. He also announced the Law Society's first access to justice day, set for the 8 September 2014, will herald a new campaign and major research programme.

"Under my leadership, the Law Society will refocus on access to justice and will continue to fight the erosion of legal aid," he said. "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."

Caplen will also be placing an emphasis on gender based violence, and has committed the Law Society to lobbying the government to amend LASPO so that legal aid is more easily available for victims of domestic violence.

"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," he added.

Caplen is a consultant with Heppenstalls, a private client firm in Hampshire and has been the Law Society Council member for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight since 2000 and was a co-author of the Society's Access to Justice Review.

He was previously the chair of the Law Society's Access to Justice Committee between 2008 and 2012, chair of the Law Society's Management Board and treasurer of the Law Society Group from 2010 until 2012. He has also co-chaired the Group's Business Oversight Board during its first year of operation.