Mears faces acid test in Liverpool

THE FIRST concrete indication of the level of support enjoyed by Law Society president Martin Mears since his election is the tantalising prospect of a Law Society by-election next month.

The contested election for the Law Society Council's Merseyside and District constituency on 24 May will pit a strong Mears supporter against a well-known local figure with a distinctly different agenda.

Liverpool law society president Andrew Holroyd, a specialist in immigration law, and sole practitioner John Callaghan, who specialises in civil litigation, are the two election candidates for the seat, prompted by the retirement of Peter Verdin.

Callaghan said he would be contacting Mears' president's reform group for endorsement.

"The bureaucratic army at the Law Society needs to be trimmed, its expenses are out of control and the cost of private practice should be reduced dramatically," he said.

"Over the past decade the solicitors' profession has lost its status and its prosperity due to a lack of leadership."

Holroyd, senior partner at the Liverpool firm Jackson & Canter, was unavailable for comment. Although he will be highly unlikely to seek Mears' endorsement, The Lawyer understands he will also be keen not to be labelled as anti-Mears.