Mark Borland takes on new role as Chair on the Local Association

Sheelagh Walton, Member Services Development Manager, talks to the Junior Vice-President about his role with the Forum and plans for the year ahead.

Congratulations on your new position as Junior Vice President. One of your key responsibilities is chairing the Local Association Forum. How did this come about?

Thank you and yes, I’m so pleased to take on this role. The Forum has been running for just over a year now and has already proven its value. With the Junior Vice President chairing, it adds a direct link to Council, which is an important step forward.

Beyond that, it gives me a critical perspective on the issues small and micro firms face. By engaging with these concerns early, I can enter my Presidential year with established relationships, a wealth of insights, and a strong foundation to help shape Society priorities and decisions.

What is the background to the Local Association Forum?

The idea for the Forum had been discussed for some time before it officially launched in November 2023. A noticeable gap had emerged between the membership and Council, which became particularly evident during the National Minimum Wage issue when relationships hit a low point.

The Forum was created to help bridge this gap. It’s designed to strengthen connections between smaller practices, their associations, and Council while improving visibility, trust, and engagement.

What’s currently on the Forum’s agenda?

The agenda is entirely shaped by the members. My role is to facilitate and ensure discussions remain productive. Last year, remote court access through Sightlink was discussed, and members talked about the importance of utilising Court User Groups at a local level, while issues raised were also represented to the Judiciary.

The Forum played a significant consultative role in the Judge Burgess Review on Criminal Legal Aid and the NICTS Modernisation Programme. Its growing profile has made it an essential platform for addressing critical sector challenges.

What’s new for 2025?

We’ve just had our first Forum meeting of the year, and there are a few changes to note. Invitations now extend to Association Secretaries and to the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors Association, broadening our representation. My priority is to bring a wide range of sector experiences to the table.

I provided an overview of the 2025 Strategic Priorities as presented at Council. There are seven key priorities, each led by a Council member. As JVP, I’m leading the Communications and Engagement workstream, which aligns perfectly with my role in the Forum.

To increase transparency, we’re introducing a new agenda item where the Chair of one of the Society’s Practice Committees will join each meeting to provide an overview of their work and highlight key discussion topics.

But the primary focus will remain on hearing members’ concerns, opening discussions, and ensuring we capture actionable next steps to maintain momentum. Moving forward, we will implement an Issues Status Report to enhance focus, accountability, and provide reassurance on progress.

How will you measure the Forum’s success?

That’s a great question. Success can be measured in several ways. Firstly, strong attendance is a clear indicator of engagement and confidence in the Forum. When members actively bring issues forward and engage in open discussions, it demonstrates the value of the process.

Momentum is another key measure—seeing the issues raised at the Forum discussed further in Committees and at Council with tangible actions being taken.

A revitalisation of local associations as active support networks is another sign of progress. These associations are vital for fostering opportunities in local communities, strengthening relationships with MLAs, and working with local Court User Groups. Even small steps, such as increased social engagement, would be a win.

Finally, this is an election year, and I hope our work through the Forum inspires members to run for Council. Increasing awareness about how the Society operates and encouraging active participation would be a huge achievement.