The Law Society, the professional body for solicitors in England and Wales, has appointed Simon Leney as chairman of its private client section, for a term expected to be two to three years.

Leney is a partner in the wealth preservation group of Cripps Harries Hall and specialises in complex wills, trusts, personal tax and probate work. He has served on the private client committee of the Law Society since 2010.

“This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with the Law Society and to help promote and develop solicitors’ abilities in the field of private client work. We hope to introduce a quality scheme for law firms who have specialists in private client work, which will be a major advance for consumers who are seeking legal advisors,” Leney said in a statement.

“I am also hoping to support solicitors generally to promote our profession as the best source of legal advice, by encouraging the highest standards of service delivery and business ethics.” 

The Law Society’s private client section currently has nearly 3,000 members across England and Wales.