THE Law Society last week met with the British Bankers Association (BBA) as part of a programme designed to help the profession survive the downturn.

Chief executive Des Hudson pressed home concerns over the security of client deposits and pushed for clarity on the availability of banking support for solicitors.

But the society said it is “disappointed” Santander, which owns Abbey, “saw no value in a meeting”.

Mr Hudson said: “In comparative terms, support for solicitors seems more likely than support for many other businesses.

“In the meetings so far, it is clear the banks have no appetite for taking entrepreneurial risk and expect as a condition of support that the basic business model is sound.

“While no membership organisation can change the economic circumstances, the society will do everything it can to help ensure the profession remains in a strong position in the future.”

The society will announce a series of seminars focusing on ways to work with banks and identify key financial information to be monitored.