Brett Dixon has been inaugurated as the 182nd president of the
Law Society of England and Wales. He will be supported through
his year in office by vice president, Dana Denis-Smith OBE, and
deputy vice president, Jeff Lewis.
Admitted as a solicitor in 1999, Brett has extensive experience
in civil litigation and is an accredited mediator. Since
commencing his career in general practice in Manchester, Brett
has worked for firms across Northwest England. Currently,
he is an Honorary Professor of Law at the University of
Leicester, a mediator with Trust Mediation, and the legal expert
member of the Online Procedure Rule Committee.
Previously, Brett has been the president of the Association of
Personal Injury Lawyers and joined the Law Society Council in
2019 as the representative of personal injury lawyers.
Commenting on his appointment, Brett Dixon said: I am honoured to
serve as Law Society president at a pivotal point for the
profession. As artificial intelligence transforms legal practice
and digital justice, I will advocate for clear standards,
appropriate regulation and responsible innovation.
As president, I will champion a criminal justice system that is
fit for the future, backed by long-term investment, earlier
intervention and responsible innovation to break the cycle of
crisis management and deliver safer communities.
Modernising civil justice
Our civil justice system remains a significant economic asset and
supports our country's reputation as a global centre of dispute
resolution, arbitration and litigation. Brett will continue to
call for stronger domestic access to justice and to address key
structural challenges, including court delays, judicial capacity,
possession processes and wider court modernisation.
Leading on digital justice and technology
adoption
As the justice system moves towards mandatory digital processes,
Brett will champion the ethical and effective use of technology
while ensuring the role of a solicitor remains central. He will
support members to adapt to technological change, promote
discussion on the evolving role of solicitors in an AI world and
push for greater clarity on how regulatory standards apply when
AI is used. Read more about our AI strategy here.
Improving access to the profession
Supporting people from disadvantaged and lower socio-economic
backgrounds into the profession will be a key focus of Brett's
presidential year. He will also work to bring disabled members'
voices to the centre of his work through roundtables across
England and Wales, using the insights gathered to help shape the
Law Society's resources and support for disabled solicitors. Read
more about the Law Society's equality, diversity and inclusion
initiatives here.
Notes to editors
- The Law Society has three elected office holders: the
president, vice president and deputy vice president. They each
hold office for one year.
-
- Each year the council elects the deputy vice president;
the previous year's deputy vice president becomes the vice
president, and the vice president becomes president.
- The handover takes place at the annual general meeting
held this year on 14 October.
- The office holders are the Law Society's main ambassadors
and represent the organisation at home and abroad.
- The office of president is a full-time appointment and
the president is chair of the Law Society Council, the
governing body of the Law Society.
