SLL’s Annual General Meeting was held at the Law Society on 12 December 2018.

Chair, Kate O’Rourke summarised the Society’s work this year, including a PFI event with Labour Business, Family Group round table with Emma Lewell-Buck, the City Group events and our Conference programme. New groups have been set up in Manchester and Bristol and there are plans for Welsh and Cornish branches. Behind the scenes, SLL members have offered advice to the shadow cabinet on crime, housing, procurement and, of course, Brexit. Next year we will work on involving members of YLL (young labour lawyers) in drafting advice and policy guidance.

There was one contested position on the Executive Committee, Vice Chair. That election was postponed until the New Year (for the process to be determined at the next Executive Committee meeting). All other positions were re-elected unopposed: Chair – Kate O’Rourke, Treasurer – Adrian Williamson QC, Secretary – Catherine Atkinson, Assistant Secretary (Membership) – Muhammad Khan, Andrew Dismore, Hannah Gomersall, Deeba Syed, Dave Drew, Anis Rahman, Fraser Whitehead, Stephen Hockman QC. Nominations should be gender balanced so three female candidates are likely to be co-opted.

The following motion was passed (amended from version proposed by Omar Salem and seconded by Elen Griffiths):

This AGM resolves to request the SLL executive to set up a working group to review and set out recommendations and/or options for reforming SLL’s constitution, corporate governance and working processes. The working group should report to an Exceptional General Meeting or the next SLL AGM with recommendations and/or options for reform, including in relation to the following matters:

– promoting the efficient and effective working of SLL in line with good corporate governance;

– promoting diversity among members of the SLL executive committee and SLL membership; and

– clarifying the role of sub-groups and increasing transparency around the appointment of sub-group chairs and their accountability.