Council elections

The role of our Council

Our Council helps to shape our strategic direction and the future of the profession by championing the diverse views of solicitors from across England and Wales.

Council members are elected officials who:

• represent the views of their constituents at Council meetings and in discussions with the government and public bodies
• contribute to the direction and formation of our strategies and policy work
• review and debate our business plans and budgets
• engage with our members, local law societies, Sections and special interest groups, to communicate our advocacy work and gather feedback
• keep up to date with our work through policy papers and reports
• approve appointments to Council committees
• approve the appointment of our chief executive

Council meetings take place on average five times a year.

One meeting per year is dedicated to strategic planning, providing Council members with an opportunity to contribute to our strategy and business plans.

Council members serve four-year terms, up to a limit of 12 years of service in total.

Learn more about Council member roles and responsibilities.

How to stand for election

For geographic seats, you must have a work or home address within the constituency you're standing for election in.

For characteristic seats, you must update your characteristic details in My LS.

Create a My LS account and confirm your work practice and/or characteristics.

Vacancies

There are currently vacant geographic seats for:

• Lincolnshire
• Shropshire and Herefordshire

For more information and guidance for candidates, read the preliminary notice (PDF 234).

Nominations should be sent no later than 12pm on Thursday 27 November 2025.

Nomination form (Word 132 KB)

Diversity monitoring form (Word 104 KB)

Steps to nominate to stand for election

• Complete our nomination form
• Ask two eligible Law Society members to sign the form as your nominators
• Write a candidate statement (up to 1,000 words)
• Supply a head-and shoulders-photograph of yourself

We encourage nominations from eligible solicitors from a range of backgrounds, regardless of sex, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or gender.

We conduct the elections in accordance with the Law Society bye-laws.

If you're elected to Council

Induction and training

We’ll provide a full induction and discuss any other training you feel you need to be fully effective in your role.

You’ll also need to undertake online equality and diversity training within six months of being elected.

Code of conduct

You’ll need to comply with our Principles of Conduct for Council members.

You’ll also be asked to register relevant interests on our published register of Council members’ interests.

How voting works

Voting is done electronically and administered by our election partner, UK Engage.

All solicitors who are eligible to vote will receive a ballot by email.

It’s important that you’re able to vote in all constituencies that relate to you.

For characteristic seats, you’ll need to tell us your characteristics in My LS, so we can make sure you receive your ballot.

Our next election cycle will begin in early 2026.

Make sure you update your characteristic details so you’re able to vote for who represents you.