The dispute with two silks over copyright issues related to the Society’s Code of Conduct cost the Law Society more than £30,000, council members were told last week.

Chief Executive Des Hudson said the total spend on the litigation – which was settled in April on the basis that the Society pay its own costs – was in the region of £32-£40,000.

The dispute arose after two QCs, Andrew Hopper and Gregory Treverton-Jones, sought permission from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to include the code as an appendix to the new Solicitor’s Handbook, which they co-authored. The Law Society withdrew the consent given by the SRA.

Paul Marsh, President of the Law Society, said: ‘It is regrettable that it had to be dealt with through formal proceedings. The matter is now resolved and the Law Society and QCs are working together to promote the Solicitor’s Handbook.’

At the same meeting, the Society agreed to transfer its rule-making powers to the SRA to enable it to make the necessary changes to allow for the creation of legal disciplinary practices under the Legal Services Act 2007. Up to now the SRA has made rules, which were ratified by council.

Meanwhile, council voted to set the practising certificate fee for 2008/09 at £950 (the same as for 2007/08) plus a pension deficit levy of £45 – making a total fee of £995.