Solicitors throughout the North have to be prepared for far-reaching changes in their profession, according to the head of their representative body.
Law society president Rory McShane said at the council's annual dinner over the weekend: "I predict that the next five years will see enormous developments in the profession and we must be ready for change. The network of local solicitors firms which has existed and served Northern Ireland well for many years will continue to exist but I believe that mergers and synergies must develop for the benefit of the profession and, above all, the public that we serve."
Mr McShane referred to the review of legal services set up by the British government under the chairmanship of Sir George Bain, and said: "The law society is conscious of the fact that whatever comes out of the review the status quo is not an option. "I undertake on behalf of the council of the society to engage positively with government on implementing an agreed reform agenda."
Leading politicians were among the guests at Belfast City Hall and Mr McShane told them: "The law society is keen to develop working relationships with all the political parties. In the coming months we hope to have bilateral discussions with each of the parties and to discuss with them topics of mutual interest and the report of the Bain committee. We wish you well in the work you are involved in at present which is so vital for the future of Northern Ireland. I, like many in this room, would warmly welcome the return of devolved government to Northern Ireland."
Guest speaker attorney general Lord Goldsmith said the St Andrews Agreement was a significant move forward in the long battle leading to the restoration of the Stormont Assembly. "The government is very optimistic that what we have been working so hard for, for such a long time, will come about," he said.