The Law Society of England and Wales is launching a service tonight to "create and facilitate a community of solicitor advocates".

The event, hosted by Society President John Wotton, will be supported by guest speakers: The Rt Hon The Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, The Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Master of the Rolls, Sir John Thomas, President of the Queens Bench Division and Mike Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer of the Crown Prosecution Service.

"It will provide mentoring, training and networking opportunities on a circuit and national level and create the framework to provide the level of support delivered to barristers by their Inns of Court," the Society said.

In Scotland the Society of Solicitor Advocates are independent of the Law Society, although application guidance is provided.