About us

Treaty of Lisbon explained

31 January 2008

The Law Society has launched a guide to the most recent EU treaty as an overview for solicitors of the new legal and political framework in Europe. It's practical and non-polemic, giving information on key issues affecting everyday practice.

Read more and download the guide

The Brussels office
The Law Society set up an office in Brussels in 1991 in recognition of the fact that a growing amount of legislation was originating from the European Union and affecting solicitors and their clients. The main task of the office is to represent the interests of the profession to the EU. The Law Society of Scotland joined the office in 1993 and the Law Society of Northern Ireland joined in 2000.

Find out more about the history and function of the Brussels office (PDF, 39kb) or the information services (PDF, 39kb) it provides.
What the office does
As well as lobbying the European institutions on issues related to the practice of law the office provides a range of services:
  • Updates on EU legislation
    We produce a series of briefing notes that offer a snapshot of EU developments relating to the profession. You can read the EU Better Law-Making Charter of November 2005.
  • Guidance on funding
    We have put together a summary of the key European Union funding programmes (PDF, 61kb) of particular interest to solicitors.
  • EU information sources
    Finding your way through the EU legislative process and finding the information you want from European sources is not always easy. Get some guidance (PDF, 59kb) on finding your way through the maze.
  • Study visits to the European institutions
    We can organise study visits to the EU institutions for groups of solicitors who are interested in finding out more, either for a specific lobbying purpose or simply to understand more about how Europe works. More information on study visits (PDF, 42kb).
  • Brussels Agenda
    We produce a monthly newsletter summarising recent developments in European law. View the latest version of the Brussels Agenda.
  • Traineeships and vacation placements in the Brussels office
    Trainee solicitors from the United Kingdom can spend between three and six months of their training contract in the Brussels office furthering their knowledge of European law and law-making processes. The office also takes on vacation students interested in gaining experience in this area. More information on traineeships (PDF, 42kb).
Contact the Brussels office.

Useful EU links.