ANDREW HOYLE, senior partner at law firm Watson Burton, has been appointed this year's president of the Newcastle Law Society.

He said: "This is a tremendous honour. Having spent my entire career practising law in the North-East, I am delighted to be representing regional solicitors as president of the Newcastle Law Society.

"North-East law firms make a significant contribution to the regional economy. Because of the number and quality of lawyers employed in commerce, local and national government, as well as in our law firms, we are instrumental in driving forward the success of local businesses and public life.

"This year is a year of change for the profession, following the publication of the Clementi Report, which reviewed the regulatory framework for legal services, and will shape their direction for the future. I look forward to a busy, productive year as president, during which I hope to welcome new members to our law society."

Newcastle is one of the ten largest law societies in the country, with about 1,000 members. Mr Hoyle will be presiding over the 179th year of the City's law society, representing lawyers in the region at major events throughout the UK.

The Law Society is the regulatory and representative body for 116,000 solicitors in England and Wales. It seeks to influence the development of law and procedure.