On the 26th June 2025, The Legal Services Board held a Stakeholder Engagement event in Manchester. The event was kindly hosted at the Fieldfisher offices. Fiona Ledden, President of the Manchester Law Society gave a speech. The speech is below.
Speech by Fiona Ledden
Good afternoon, and thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.
It is both a privilege and a responsibility to represent the legal profession in Manchester—a city with a proud legal heritage and a dynamic, forward-looking legal community. I have been asked to share what we believe are the most pressing issues facing our profession today, and to offer a perspective on how we might collectively respond.
The legal profession stands at a pivotal juncture. As we navigate the complexities of the modern era, we find ourselves in a period of profound transformation. The way we work, the tools we use, and the expectations placed upon us—by clients, regulators, and society at large—are all evolving at pace.
Externally, we are operating in an increasingly volatile environment. Climate change is no longer a distant concern but a present-day legal and ethical challenge. Economic pressures, including rising interest rates and inflation, are reshaping client priorities and access to justice. Court backlogs continue to strain the justice system, undermining public confidence. And the threat of cybercrime looms large, demanding ever-greater vigilance and investment in digital resilience.
Internally, the profession is undergoing a necessary and overdue process of modernization. We are striving to become more inclusive, more representative, and more responsive to the needs of a diverse society. Education and training models are being reimagined to equip future lawyers with the skills they need—not just in black-letter law, but in technology, ethics, and emotional intelligence. Hybrid working is now the norm, bringing flexibility but also new challenges in maintaining team cohesion, mentoring, and wellbeing.
Technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is at the heart of this transformation. AI is not merely a tool for efficiency—it is a catalyst for rethinking how legal services are conceived and delivered. From document review to predictive analytics, AI is enabling faster, more accurate, and more accessible legal support. But with these advances come critical questions: How do we ensure ethical use? How do we protect client confidentiality? And how do we ensure that regulation keeps pace with innovation?
We must also confront the human realities of legal practice. The profession is grappling with high levels of stress, burnout, and attrition—particularly among junior lawyers. The war for talent is intensifying, and firms are rightly investing in culture, ESG commitments, and innovation to attract and retain the best people. Yet, wage inflation at current levels is unsustainable, and we must explore new models for delivering fulfilling, purpose-driven careers that are financially viable for firms and accessible to all.
A healthy legal sector is not just a matter of professional interest—it is a cornerstone of a functioning democracy and a thriving economy. Our work underpins critical sectors such as technology, real estate, healthcare, and finance. We play a vital role in upholding the rule of law, protecting rights, and enabling commerce.
The challenges we face are significant, but so too is our capacity for adaptation and leadership. With thoughtful regulation, collaborative dialogue, and a shared commitment to progress, the legal profession can not only weather this period of change but emerge stronger, more resilient, and more relevant than ever.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation. We look forward to working with you to shape a legal system that is fit for the future—fair, inclusive, and equipped to meet the needs of all those it serves.
Fiona Ledden
President – Manchester Law Society & City Solicitor
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