Following a "vigorous debate" at yesterday's AGM, Ian Smart, incoming president of the Law Society of Scotland, said that a proposed reduction would be brought to the Society's SGM in September.

Crucially, no commitment was given on the possible extent of any reduction.

David Flint of MacRoberts had proposed a cut to £400.00 in the practising certificate fee, a move which was voted down after a concerted campaign by larger firms and strong lobbying from the Law Society.

“As a membership organisation, it is right that our members have their say in how their Society is run and be able to scrutinise how we spend our members’ money generated through the cost of the practising certificate fee each year," Smart said.

“I am encouraged that a decisive majority of solicitors have backed the Society’s amendment to the motion about the practising certificate fee. We had already intended to make a material reduction through the planning and budgeting process for this year. We will be able incorporate the profession’s feedback and recommendations into that process before bringing a proposed reduction in the fee to the SGM in September.

“Mr Flint’s motion to cut the cost of the practising certificate has allowed a number of concerns to aired and feedback given to the Society. We do not underestimate the responsibility the Society has in listening to its members and to ensure that it delivers services that the profession wants and needs in the most cost effective way, especially during such challenging economic times.

“There was a very vigorous debate at the AGM about what the Society costs to the membership and the job that it has to do. We had already put in place a programme to modernise how the Society does business, with plans to bring a new constitution to next year’s AGM, and welcomed this as a chance to find out first-hand what more our members want from their Society. Having that feedback is vital to ensure the Society is relevant and properly representing its members’ needs.

“Last year we delivered a budget which ensured there was no increase – a real term cut - in the Practising Certificate fee set by the Society. This year we are committed to go further and deliver a significant reduction. We are acutely aware of the pressures on our members to reduce their costs in these unprecedented times.”