The Isle of Man Law Society has a new president.

He is Appleby lawyer Tim Swift.

Kathryn Clough of Callin Wild was elected as vice president of the Law Society.

Terence McDonald, Peter Clucas, Irini Newby and Linda Watts were elected to the council. Jane Gray and Ashley Kneale also stood.

There were votes from 171 practising members - more than 70% of the membership.

Mr Swift said: ’I thank the Isle of Man Law Society for electing me as president. It is a great honour.

’I would also like to thank all our council members and the executive team for their hard work and dedication in the conduct of the business of the Law Society.

’But I would especially like to thank Jane Gray and Irini Newby, our former president and vice president.

’Jane has worked tirelessly in the last two years for the Law Society and her commitment to the profession was and is self-evident. Irini contributed so much as vice president and her work on council continues.’

He said the society faced challenging times.

’I will address them to the best of my ability,’ he said.

Mr Swift is the counsel within Appleby Isle of Man’s dispute resolution department.

He is an English solicitor, Manx advocate and commissioner for oaths with more than 30 years’ experience in all forms of civil and commercial litigation, having acted for private, commercial and union clients.

Before moving to the Isle of Man, Mr Swift was a deputy district judge, sitting in the North West of England for 10 years and a partner in a firm of Liverpool solicitors, heading up its civil litigation and personal injury department.

He specialises in personal injury and professional negligence cases and acts on behalf of leading insurers in relation to all types of personal injury claims, such as road traffic accidents, workplace accidents, public and occupiers liability cases.

He deals with negligence claims against a variety of professionals (lawyers, accountants, surveyors and medical practitioners) and acts in connection with complaints before the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal.

The Isle of Man Law Society works with all branches of Government, the courts, its members and others in relation to legal matters for the public, the profession and the Isle of Man.

Mark Holligon, local practice group head for Appleby Isle of Man’s dispute resolution team said: ’I would like to formally congratulate Tim on this well-deserved appointment.

’Tim is an extremely experienced advocate and I have no doubt that he will be successful in this role.’