FAQs
Can I use the library?
Food and drink - are these permitted in the library?
Internet access - can I access the internet from the library?
Interest rate - what is the current Law Society interest rate?
Lending - do you lend books?
Microfiche - can I print from microfiche?
Online services - what online services can I use in the library?
Photocopying - do you have self-service photocopiers in the library?
Research - Can you do research for me?
Tours - does the library run tours?
Weekends - are you open at weekends?
Word and Excel - do you have computers with Word and Excel that I can use?
Can I use the library?
Yes - if you are a solicitor member of the Law Society of England and Wales, or working for a solicitor member. Please bring your Law Society membership card with you, or some proof that you work for a member.
LPC students are also allowed to use the library. Please bring your college student card with you.
Otherwise - no, unless you need to look at material not available elsewhere. Please contact us first with details of what you need to consult, and when you would like to visit.
Food and drink - are these permitted in the library?
No - for conservation reasons, we do not allow food to be consumed in the library. You can bring bottled water if it has a cap to prevent spillage.
Internet access - can I access the internet from the library?
Yes - there are computers for members in the Library which have access to the internet. If you bring in your laptop, free wi-fi internet access is also available.
Lending - do you lend books?
No - we are a reference library and do not loan books. If you need to borrow law books, some local law societies offer loan facilities to their members, or you could try your local public library.
Microfiche - can I print from microfiche?
Yes - we have three machines in the library that can read microfiche or microfilm, and you can print from them. The usual photocopying charges apply.
Photocopying - do you have self-service photocopiers in the library?
Yes - you can use coins to operate the machines, or purchase a copycard from the enquiry desk. If you need to pay a copyright fee for your copy, ask at the desk for a Copyright Licensing Agency sticker, which currently costs £9.
Research - Can you do research for me?
Yes, if you are a solicitor member, or working for a member. We can look for legal information for you, but we cannot interpret the law for you. Please call us or e-mail us with your enquiry. We do not undertake lengthy research, except as part of our fee-based Parliamentary Debates Research Service.
Tours - does the library run tours?
Yes. The library arranges tours for members and their staff every quarter. The tours takes place in the library at 113 Chancery Lane and include introductions and explanations of the services the library offers, database resources available within the library, Law Society Library Online and more; plus a tour of the library itself and one of the library stores.
The tours usually take place in January, April, July and October, and last about an hour to an hour and a half.
Please e-mail the library for details of the next tour date, and to reserve a place.
Weekends - are you open at weekends?
No, only Monday to Friday, and we are closed on bank holidays. We are open until 18:00 Monday to Thursday. Our online catalogue, Law Society Library Online is available 24 hours a day.
Word and Excel - do you have computers with Word and Excel that I can use?
Yes - there are a few computers that you can use for Word and Excel, with floppy disk drives and USB ports.