Professor Richard Susskind has been appointed president of the Society for Computers and Law (SCL), the leading UK organisation for legal professionals advising and practising within the IT sector.

Glasgow-born Professor Susskind, who describes himself as "half lawyer, half technologist", has been a member of the society for 30 years. He tells People: "My passion is looking at the way we can modernise how lawyers work using technology and other methods.

"People should be able to obtain legal guidance, generate legal documents and even resolve disputes online."

Professor Susskind, 50, is the IT adviser to the Lord Chief Justice. He holds professorships at Oxford University, the University of Strathclyde and Gresham College in London, and also advises large law firms and lectures internationally. He has been invited to speak in 40 countries. A regular columnist for The Times, he is the author of seven books, including The End of Lawyers?

Now based in Radlett, Herts and a member of Radlett United Synagogue, he succeeds Lord Saville of Newdigate as president.