Law Society of England and Wales President, Derek Greene, is to step aside in order to focus on an urgent client matter. Greene, senior partner at Edwin Coe, made the announcement yesterday (3 March).

He will be succeeded by the current vice president, Stephanie Boyce, on 19 March.

The news follows a High Court ruling in January that the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in England should hear, in full, a private prosecution brought against Greene by a former client over a costs issue

The Solicitors Regulation Authority had considered the client’s allegations, but did not pursue the case.

Complaint

Greene said yesterday that he expected the decade-long lay complaint to be thrown out again, but that he did not wish to be distracted in his presidential year, at a time when the solicitor profession is facing a period of unprecedented challenge.

“So, it is with profound regret that I have decided to step aside from my role as President of the Law Society of England and Wales during the currency of proceedings, with effect from 19 March, instead of at the end of my term this October,” he said.