Join our committees
Our committees are our window into the profession. They represent the views of solicitors, lending their expertise and knowledge to ensure that our work reflects the issues that matter most to our members.
The Law Society is where solicitors connect, thrive and belong.
We promote the value of the profession and champion the £60 billion contribution our members, and the rest of the legal services sector, make each year to the UK economy.
We also amplify the powerful collective voice of more than 200,000 solicitors and their diverse experiences and backgrounds – whether that’s:
- lobbying the government on key legislation and reform
- leading the way on professional ethics, or
- engaging with regulators
With the help of our elected and appointed members, we work to champion our members' interests and make sure your views are heard by decision makers at the highest levels.
Council committees
Some of our committees report directly to our Board and/or our Council – referred to as Council committees.
Members of these committees use their experience and knowledge to help ensure that:
- the Law Society is well governed
- we are working in the best interests of our members
- the member services we provide are relevant to solicitors and their careers
Advisory committees
We have two types of advisory committees: policy advisory committees and community advisory committees.
Policy advisory committees help guide our work on policy issues affecting our profession, access to justice and the rule of law.
Community advisory committees support work related to our communities. They help us develop and deliver high-quality, exclusive content related to specific demographics and practice areas – including:
- resources
- magazines
- newsletters
- networking events
- training sessions
- webinars
Why join a committee?
The Law Society is run by and for solicitors.
Our members are part of a community of like-minded and engaged professionals working together to grow as solicitors and develop their practice.
Whatever your specialism, interests or characteristics, you can get involved.
Stay connected and learn from your peers and leading experts by applying to join one or more of our committees.
Joining one of our committees is also just one of the ways you can influence the work and priorities of your professional body.
It is an opportunity to make sure your views, and those of your peers, are reflected in the work we do for the profession.
As volunteers, our committee members are reimbursed for reasonable expenses in line with Law Society policy.
Current vacancies
Council Membership Committee (CMC)
The Council Membership Committee (CMC) is made up of elected and appointed members of the profession.
It advises Council on matters to do with its composition and representativeness.
How to apply: Council Membership Committee
Applications are currently closed.
When applications open, we’ll update this page to let you know which vacancies are elected and which are appointed.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
This committee reports into Council and advises Council, its committees and the Board on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues.
This includes setting the direction and strategic framework for EDI issues in the profession, ensuring a coordinated approach across the Law Society and reviewing progress.
How to apply: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Applications are currently closed.
When applications open we’ll update this page to let you know which vacancies are elected and which are appointed.
We are recruiting for our D&I network advisory committees.
Policy advisory committees
Our policy advisory committees help shape Law Society policy on the issues affecting our profession, access to justice and the rule of law – now and into the future.
How to apply: policy advisory committees
Our general recruitment round is closed for 2023.
We accept speculative applications year-round for the policy advisory committees. These will be kept on file for six months in the event a vacancy arises.
Submit your speculative application and your CV in Word format to pracappointments@lawsociety.org.uk.
You may also complete and submit the optional diversity monitoring form.
Download the:
Community advisory committees
Our community advisory committees support the development of our member communities.
Our Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) networks provide a forum for marginalised groups in the profession to share, discuss and support each other. They also provide the Law Society with a rich source of expertise and experience to inform the development and delivery of a valued offer, tailored to specific member needs.
Learn more about the Disabled Solicitors Network
For our Disabled Solicitors Network committee, we particularly welcome applications from men and neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals, as well as those working in-house and/or in central/local government, and in small firms, as they are currently less well-represented.
No one will ask for medical details and you are not obliged to share these.
You do not need a medical diagnosis – anyone who self-identifies as disabled or neurodivergent can be on the committee.
Please note that our committee meetings average 2.5 hours long, as we build in time for a break.
Committee members are expected to join one of our three project groups:
- external engagement
- students and training
- LawTech and AI
Each of these meets virtually once a month, although calls may be short depending on current work.
Interviews will be held in the afternoons of 11, 12, 13, 19 and 20 September.
Learn more about the Ethnic Solicitors Network.
For our Ethnic Solicitors Network, we particularly welcome applications from those working in-house and/or in central/local government and in small firms, as they are currently less well-represented.
Interviews will be held in the afternoons of 11, 12, 13 and 14 September.
Learn more about the LGBTQ+ Solicitors Network.
Interviews will be held on 25, 26 and 27 September.
Learn more about the Women Solicitors Network
Committee members can get involved with a number of activities to further the gender equality work of the Law Society.
Members can join a number of working groups to assist with the promotion of the Women in Law Pledge to encourage organisations to commit to gender equality change, raise awareness and provide support on key issues facing women in the profession through campaigns and events and seek insights from our community to inform the work that we do.
Interview dates tbc.
As a committee member, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- influence, inform and shape the Law Society’s support to solicitors in our D&I communities
- advocate for the network community to ensure that their views and needs are sought, heard and addressed as part of the Law Society’s work
- expand your professional network and connections
- work closely with knowledgeable and enthusiastic peers and staff
- contribute to the Law Society’s wider D&I strategic objectives and activities
What we’re looking for
We welcome applications from solicitors and non-solicitors at all levels of professional development and locations who identify with the relevant protected characteristic for a network and are committed to promoting inclusion in the legal profession.
We aim to ensure that each committee represents a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, in terms of intersecting identities and backgrounds, career stages, areas of practice, and organisation types.
You must:
- have a clean record/regulatory history with the Solicitors Regulation Authority
- demonstrate a sound understanding of the issues facing solicitors in the network that you are applying to
- have a track record of working to progress diversity and inclusion as either an employee or as a volunteer
- be sure you can commit the time it’ll take to be an active and effective committee member
Appointments will be made on merit, based on experience, expertise and skills. The recruitment process includes completing an application form and diversity monitoring form, and an interview. Interview dates for each committee can be found on their webpages.
Expected time commitment
This role involves:
- contributing to four committee meetings a year. These will mainly be held virtually, with a maximum of two in- person meetings (although virtual options will still be available)
- spending time reading papers in preparation for committee meetings
- practically supporting the delivery of agreed activities, for example joining a project group, contributing to member content and communications, and attending events. See the individual committee pages for further details
We estimate the average time commitment, spread out across the year, to be up to an hour a week.
Appointments start in November 2023 for a three-year term.
As volunteers, our committee members are reimbursed for reasonable expenses in line with Law Society policy. Applicants from outside the UK are expected to attend meetings online.
How to apply: community advisory committees
Applications are closed.
Shortlisting of anonymised applications will take place by 26 July. All candidates will be advised within 10 working days of the shortlisting date if they have been successful.
Interviews will take place online via Microsoft Teams.
Committee member appointments will commence from 1 November 2023.
Use your application to explain how your skills, experience and knowledge (paid work, volunteering and personal experience) would help you meet the expectations of this role.
To apply:
- Read our terms of reference and ways of working (53 KB)
- Complete our application form (72 KB) and diversity monitoring form (101 KB)
- Send your application to diversityteam@lawsociety.org.uk.
Let us know if you require any adjustments to help you realise your full potential.
If you would like more information on the application or interview process or would like a confidential discussion on any adjustments that would support you, get in touch with the team at diversityteam@lawsociety.org.uk.
External appointments
At various times throughout the year, we appoint or nominate members of Council as representatives to serve on external bodies.
Appointments to external organisations are referred to and advertised as 'external appointments'.
There are currently no vacancies for external appointments.