Solicitors facing disciplinary hearings or complaints procedures could receive formal representation under a defence scheme being considered by the Law Society. The Society says it is studying the idea of setting up a legal defence union as a voluntary or compulsory scheme.

The Society’s Membership Board will next month receive a report on the legal and practical issues involved, such as funding. One model might be the Medical Defence Union, a mutual organisation.

Last year, the Society decided against establishing a defence union for solicitors.

However, Law Society chief executive Des Hudson said he is ‘not a fan’ of the idea. ‘I am not sure the profession wants it. It is a big "if" that we will go down this route. A voluntary opt-in scheme is more likely than a compulsory scheme. If the membership says "yes" then we will take it forward. My concern is, if we set up a scheme and it is not self-financing will the bill come back to the membership?’

Meanwhile, Hudson said he is ‘uneasy’ about the length of time disciplinary tribunals take to issue written findings.