The one hundred members of the Law Society Council have elected Surrey-based property specialist Paul Marsh 58, as deputy vice president. Chosen from eight candidates, Marsh is now virtually guaranteed full presidency of the Society by 2009.

The post of last for one year and is the first of three consecutive years in the executive of the Law Society, which culminates in a one-year term as president.

The losing candidates were Bob Heslett, former Beachcroft Wansbroughs managing partner; Michael Franks of William Sturges and Co; Helen Davis, former Law Society training committee chair; Derek French; Denis Cameron; Fraser Whitehead of Russell Jones and Walker and Christopher Digby Bell of Palmer Capital Partners.

Marsh succeeds Andrew Holroyd, current deputy vice president. Holroyd will be promoted to vice president when the current vice president, Fiona Woolf of CMS Cameron McKenna, is installed as the Society's new president in July, replacing Kevin Martin.

Marsh is a property lawyer with the Kingston firm Carter Bells with a track record of representing the interests of solicitors. He has represented the Surrey constituency on the Law Society's council since 1999. Marsh has also been a member of the Society's Representation Board, Finance Sub-Committee and Conveyancing and Land Law Committee. He has three children and has been married to his wife Sheila for 33 years. His interests include spending time with his family, gardening and vintage cars.

As chair of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund for three years, Marsh was responsible for returning SIF from shortfall to surplus. He also led the criticism of sellers' packs and home information packs (HIPs) legislation. Marsh was instrumental in ensuring that packs are beneficial to consumers and solicitors remain at the centre of the conveyancing process.

Marsh said on his appointment, "The Law Society is undergoing radical and fundamental transformation. Solicitors want their national representatives to stand up responsibly to government, the regulator and other stakeholders. The new Law Society must improve its relationships with local law societies and specialist groups. I look forward to implementing the improvements that members are demanding and creating a stronger national body for all solicitors."

Last month the Law Society announced that Desmond Hudson, chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, would be replacing chief executive Janet Paraskeva, who will be leaving this summer after five years.

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