New body lobbies for co-op laws

LAWYERS have formed a new association to lobby the Government on updating the laws affecting co-operatives.

The launch of the Co-operative Law Association, in Manchester, was inspired by the UK Co-operative Council, concerned that outdated law was holding the sector back.

Law firms Croftons and Slater Heelis of Manchester and Malcolm Lynch of Leeds join London barristers Charles Sparrow of 13 Old Square and Richard Sykes QC of Erskine Chambers in the new group, which also lists the Co-operative Bank and the Co-operative Wholesale Society among its members.

Malcolm Lynch of the Leeds firm says: "We still have pre-1900 laws. We need a new set to help co-operatives to compete as businesses."