The Law Society Council is our governing body. It comprises 100 seats: 61 for solicitors elected from geographical constituencies and 39 seats elected or nominated from special interest groups or from different areas of practice.
The Council’s role includes:
- deciding our position on major policy issues;
- setting the Society’s budget; and
- recommending the level of the practising certificate fee to the Legal Services Board.
The Council delegates responsibility for other functions to the following Boards:
- Business and Oversight Board
- Legal Affairs and Policy Board
- Management Board
- Membership Board
- Regulatory Affairs Board
There are also six Council committees – Audit, Council Members’ Conduct, Council Membership, Equality and Diversity, Remuneration, and Scrutiny and Performance Review, and a large number of specialist committees dealing with particular areas of law.
For a broad overview of the role of council see our visual slide, below:
Download governance graph (PDF 198 kb)
Council Members
Individual council member activities and input include:
- attending Council meetings and participating in the formation of strategy and policy.
- representing solicitors in discussions with the Government and public bodies like the Legal Services Commission
- approving the Society’s business plans and budgets
- representing the views of the constituency (geographical or special interest) at Council meetings.
- liaising with members of the profession including the appropriate local law societies, sections and special interest groups, to explain the activities of the Law Society and report back to the Council.
- liaising with other external organisations as appropriate regarding the work of the Law Society.
- keeping up to date with the work of the Society through policy papers on corporate business.
- approving appointments to Council Committees.
- approving appointment of the Chief Executive.
Term of office
The term of office of a Council member is four years.
Induction and training
We will provide you with induction to help you meet your responsibilities. You will also undertake equality and diversity training within six months of your election. More information is provided on election.
Code of conduct
If you are elected, we will expect you to comply with our Code of Conduct for Council members. The code includes guidance on:
- conflicts of interest;
- dignity at work; and
- member and staff relations.
We also have a published register of Council members' interests (PDF 381 kb). Elected members will be asked to register relevant interests.
For more information on the role of a council member, contact the elections office at councilelections@lawsociety.org.uk