Law Society

the law society

The Law Society is the representative body for all solicitors in England and Wales. It’s primary role is to protect and promote the interests of solicitors and is involved with issues such as dealing with, and making representations to, the profession’s regulators, the government and other interested parties, offering training and advice to solicitors and trainees, providing management and practice support and providing pastoral support and assistance.

Formerly actively involved in the regulation of solicitors and the handling of complaints, the Law Society now exercises a mainly representative role with the functions of regulator being devolved to the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the handling of complaints passed to the Legal Complaints Service.

Founded in 1825 and acquiring its first royal charter in 1831, the Law Society was established to raise the reputation of the solicitors profession by setting standards and ensuring good practice. It moved to Chancery Lane in 1832 and was originally known as ‘The Society of Attorneys, Solicitors, Proctors and others not being Barristers, practising in the Courts of Law and Equity of the United Kingdom’. In 1903 the Society changed its official name to ‘The Law Society’.

The Law Society is governed by its Council which was established under a Royal Charter of 1845 (see Royal Charter and Supplemental Charters on the Law Society’s web site). The Council is assisted by four boards that advise the council on representative matters and carry out various delegated functions. These boards are:

  • the Management Board
  • the Legal Affairs and Policy Board
  • the Membership Board, and
  • the Regulatory Affairs Board.

The Law Society sees its current role as:

  • Supporting the delivery of legal services
  • Developing new markets and opportunities
  • Representing the profession
  • Defending legal aid
  • Promoting the profession
  • Delivering equality and diversity, and
  • Encouraging corporate responsibility

Full details about the work and responsibilities of the Law Society can be found on their web site www.lawsociety.org.uk and full details of how to contact them will be found in the links and addresses section of this web site.