It’s been more than a decade since the last Law Society special general meeting (SGM), called by high-profile civil liberties solicitor Imran Khan over the Kamlesh Bahl affair and allegations of institutional racism. Though very different, next month’s SGM, debating a motion of no confidence in the president and chief executive, also goes to the heart of Chancery Lane, if not quite as painfully. I am not going to debate the rights and wrongs of the Law Society’s position on criminal legal aid. What I will say is that is that it did not make the easy choice by deciding to negotiate with the government – that would have been to fall into line with the absolute opposition of the specialist criminal solicitor groups and the bar.

The issue of insisting on lay chairs to head of the frontline legal regulators, as was proposed by the Legal Services Board (LSB) in a consultation that ends next week, has sparked predictable opposition among the targeted regulators. That the LSB should try to push through such a potentially explosive change to internal governance rules at a time when it has just been pummelled in a series of bruising responses submitted to the Ministry of Justice’s regulatory review, shows bullishness on the part of the oversight regulator.

In many industry sectors, comparison and review websites are one of the main channels through which a business can connect with its customers. Who hasn’t checked out reviews of a film, book or washing machine before typing in our card details and proceeding to the checkout? But, how relevant are they for people choosing a solicitor?

Two months ago, I blogged about the Law Society’s surprising submission to the Ministry of Justice’s legal regulation review, which essentially argued for a return to self-regulation, save that disciplinary and enforcement activities would remain the preserve of a much slimmed-down Solicitors Regulation Authority. I was not convinced by the argument then, and I’m not now. But I’m revisiting this issue because from talking to senior figures in the profession, I have a clear sense of growing confidence that the Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling, is thinking their way. One told me to expect an announcement as soon as January.

With more than 200 law firms having failed to secure professional indemnity insurance, it is highly likely that this will include a number with personal injury WIP books. Will this create a buyers’ or sellers’ market? The spotlight on the injury sector is shining again following the recent announcement that high-profile serious injury and clinical negligence specialists Harris Cartier entered into a pre-pack deal with prolifically acquisitive firm Neil Hudgell Solicitors. This was followed by Manchester firm Taylor Legal. This was another firm that failed to secure PII, and included a small number of personal injury files.