WHERE are all the York solicitors? Lawyers in York have been slow to take up free places on a special “new rules” education roadshow to be held in the city.

A new handbook governing the way solicitors will work in the future was unveiled this month by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the organisation that governs the way lawyers in the UK operate.

The SRA is taking the rules out on the road with roadshows being held throughout England and Wales.

More than 200 places for a similar event in London were snapped up in less than an hour, while Manchester, Bristol and Cardiff roadshows were filled within a day.

But in York, only 45 of the 120 places for the event at Park Inn, North Street, on June 8, have been taken.

“We are puzzled that take-up has been so slow,” said an SRA spokesman, “This is the first roadshow we have held in York and we are hoping to get a full house. Hopefully we will see demand increase over the next couple of weeks.

“It is vital that all solicitors understand how the changes made in the new handbook will effect them. The roadshows are a chance for them to ask questions and tackle any issues they are not completely clear on, in a relaxed and informal setting.”

Solicitors wanting to sign up for the York roadshow, which will run from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, should visit www.sra.org.uk/roadshows-booking/