Our Royal Charter still provides the constitutional basis for much of our corporate governance. The principal 1845 Charter provided for the incorporation of the Society and the establishment of our governing body, the Council.
Our regulatory powers have since been underpinned by statute: the Solicitors Act 1974, the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, the Access to Justice Act 1999 and the Legal Services Act 2007.
Information about these acts are available on the Office of Public Sector Information website.
Constitutional documents
The Council
The Law Society is governed by its Council, set up under its Royal Charter. Details of council members and constituencies are available below:
There are four boards that advise the council on representative matters and carry out various delegated functions:
- Management Board
- Legal Affairs and Policy Board
- Membership Board and
- Regulatory Affairs Board.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority deals with all matters relating to entry and training of solicitors as well as the rules of professional conduct.
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) handles complaints about solicitors.
Annual report and accounts
The Law Society produces an annual report and financial statement each year. These are available to download via the annual review page.