The motion which has energised the profession ahead of today's AGM vote held in Sheraton Hotel, which proposed capping the practising certificate fee at £400.00, has been voted down by a margin more than 2 to 1.

Firms including Shepherd and Wedderburn had directed their staff to vote against the motion, which had been proposed by MacRoberts' partner David Flint.

In an unusually well attended AGM, at which Society of Law Agents members Ian Ferguson, Michael Sheridan and Carole Sheridan, were present, as well as outgoing President Richard Henderson, new incumbent Ian Smart, Chief Executive Lorna Jack and members of council, 67 members voted to incorporate the Law Society's proposed amendment to Flint's motion, whilst only 9 voted for. 7 members abstained.

However, the proxy votes revealed that some 480 had voted to support Flint's motion, with a further 1,150 voting for the amendment. Therefore, in total 1217 voted against the 489 who favoured the motion, a margin of greater than 2 to 1.