Celebrating 200 years of the Law Society in Norwich
11 Jun 2025
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The Law Society of England and Wales marks 200 years* since its founding with a special event in Norwich on 12 June. The event is celebrating the significant impact solicitors have had on the economy and local communities in the East of England. With more than 6,000 solicitors across the East, 33% are young professionals under 40 helping to grow the legal sector in the region. In Norwich alone, law firms turned over £56.7 million last year.
Legal services are a vital public service. More than two-thirds of people in the East of England who had a legal issue knew where to get good legal information or advice if they needed it**. This confidence speaks to the importance of efficient signposting for local resources and agencies, ensuring that everyone can seek and get legal advice when they need it.
For its bicentenary, the Law Society wants to boost the role of public legal education, which starts with communities in England and Wales understanding their own legal rights and responsibilities.
Research by the Law Society reveals that two-thirds (67%) of adults in the East of England have experienced a legal issue in the last four years. Of those, three in 10 (30%) who experienced a contentious issue had an unmet legal need and around one in five (18%) did not receive the professional help they needed***. It is therefore imperative that education on legal services becomes available to level the playing field.
Law Society president, Richard Atkinson, said: "The East of England continues to be a prominent region contributing greatly to the UK economy and legal profession. From general litigation to commercial property, solicitors in Norwich and the wider region excel in providing outstanding legal services.
"As we honour the past, we look to the future. Public trust in the legal profession underscores the values that the Law Society has been guided by for 200 years. While there are many challenges ahead, we consider it our duty as solicitors to do our part to improve fairness and access to justice for all.
"Our profession honours tradition yet we embrace innovative solutions that address the issues we face.”
The Law Society is celebrating 200 years of supporting solicitors in England and Wales. It is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.