Governance overview
Governance overview
Constitution
Our Royal Charter of 1845 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
- Royal Charter (PDF, 98kb)
- General regulations (PDF, 206kb) – updated January 2010
- Law Society bye-laws (PDF, 196kb) – updated July 2009
- Code and protocols (PDF, 134kb) – updated January 2007
- Code of conduct for council members (PDF, 65kb) – published March 2008
- Register of interests (PDF, 228kb) – updated February 2010
The Council
The Law Society is governed by its Council, set up under its Royal Charter. 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 Complaints Service handles complaints about solicitors.
Download the Law Society's Governance structure (PDF 61kb) or find out more about the Council, boards and committees.
Contact your Council member
A list of constituencies and council members can be found on the Contact your council member page.
Annual report and accounts
The annual reports and accounts are available to download below.
2008 (PDF, 289kb)
2007 (PDF, 254kb)
2006 (PDF, 476kb)
2005 (PDF, 516kb)
2004 (PDF, 533kb)
2003 (PDF, 278kb)
Compensation Fund accounts 2006 (PDF, 151kb)
Solicitors Indemnity Fund accounts
The Solicitors Indemnity Fund Limited is responsible for the administration of the fund and its board consists of non-executive directors drawn from the legal profession or with relevant insurance expertise. The accounts are produced each year to 31 December.
Fund accounts
2007 (PDF, 383kb)