Agricultural Law Association (ALA) was founded in 1975 to
provide a forum for professionals serving agriculture – lawyers, surveyors, accountants, bankers, farm
business consultants and others – to support each other in their specialisms. It is now the UK's leading
cross-disciplinary organisation dedicated to the interests of professional people in rural business.
The membership of over 1,100 includes some of the leading practitioners in rural affairs in the UK and Europe today.
There are documents and consultations on the site, mainly available to members only.
There is also a blog on the site called
MossBlog, written by Joanne Moss,
a barrister at Falcon Chambers and a former Chairman of ALA (from 1993-99) as well
as an advocate, advisor and author.
Referring to her blog, she says "I try to put into perspective (for both lawyers and the public) UK legal change and issues by looking at
EU and wider initiatives to solve common problems. Often I find humour works better than case references
but links to the hard stuff are usually provided with EU materials."
The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) exists
for the benefit of lawyers, experts and other professionals involved in the field of obtaining compensation
for the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children and adults abused in childhood, as well as the
mentally handicapped. The Association began in late 1997. The site has recently been redesigned and updated and now
contains information on legal aspects of this topic, training courses, news, group actions and (for members) details
of an extensive range of significant cases and articles. Cases can be referred to members via the organisation.
AvMA (Action against Medical Accidents) is an independent charity,
mainly consisting of individual firms, which promotes better patient safety and justice for people who have been affected by a medical accident.
The site includes a directory of firms of solicitors they have assessed and approved.
Adjudication Society
is a not-for-profit Society promoting resolution of construction disputes by
means of adjudication. It was formed so that the construction industry might benefit from the body of
experience and case law associated with the introduction of the Housing Grants, Construction and
Regeneration Act 1996, the growth in adjudication by means of Expert Determination and Dispute
Boards and the increasing popularity of the New Engineering Contract.
The Society's purpose is to encourage and develop adjudication as a method of resolving construction
disputes (without denouncing other procedures, such as arbitration and conciliation) and to provide a
regular and informal forum at which adjudication problems and practices may be discussed.
There are a number of branches around the country which put on meetings and events.
There are also a variety of papers, talks newsletters and case reports on the site.
Agricultural Law Assocation (ALA) was founded in 1975
to provide a forum for professionals serving agriculture lawyers, surveyors, accountants, bankers,
farm business consultants and others to support each other in their specialisms.
The membership of over 800 includes some of the leading practitioners in rural affairs in the UK and Europe today.
ALA is consulted by government on legislative and policy changes and, by maintaining its non-party political
stance, provides impartial practical comment on proposed measures. It is also affiliated to the CEDR
the French acronym for the European Council on Rural Law which is a body recognised on rural law by
the European Commission, and provides members with a ready-made contact network throughout Europe, not just in the EU.
Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)
was started in 1997 for lawyers specialising in contentious trust and probate work.
The aims are to provide a forum for specialists to exchange experience, know-how and an
appreciation of the law and statutes in this specialist area; to hold seminars, conferences and
meetings for the discussion of contentious trust and probate issues; to promote the enhancement
of the specific skills specialisation and expertise in this area by the provision of education
and training and, where possible, to enable representations to be made to the appropriate
governmental and judicial bodies in relation to contentious trust and probate issues.
Currently online are the ACTAPS newsletter, the code of conduct, membership directory, and press releases.
Association of Lawyers for Children
exists to promote justice for children and young people within the legal system
in England and Wales, to campaign in favour of establishing properly funded legal
mechanisms to enable all children and young people to have access to justice,
to provide high quality legal training focusing on the needs of
lawyers concerned with cases relating to the welfare of children and to exchange
information and views. There are over 600 members.
Association of Law Costs Draftsmen
was founded in 1977 with the object of promoting the status
and interests of the profession of law costs draftsmen generally and the maintenance of the highest
professional standards. The main aim is to promote and foster a proper appreciation of the contribution
made by law costs draftsmen within the legal profession. Further aims include the exchange of ideas
and information with other legal bodies and regulation of the conduct of law costs draftsmen.
The Association of Muslim Lawyers (AML) works on issues of importance
and significance to Muslims in the UK as well as highlighting issues that affect Muslims internationally.
The main aim of AML is to provide a platform where such issues can be introduced, debated and procedures
set in place to bring about desired results. This aim has been implemented by means of seminars and conferences,
as well as through the AML magazine The Muslim Lawyer.
Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
is dedicated to improving the service
provided to victims of accident and medical negligence. Over 4,800 solicitors
and barristers work with the Association to fight for law reform to improve
access to justice.
Association of Pensions Lawyers
is an association established and run by lawyers specialising in pensions in the UK.
It is non-profit making. Its main aims are to promote awareness of the importance of
the role of law in the provision of pensions and to operate as a forum for discussion and
education amongst pension lawyers. APL
publishes copies of the APL seminar talks which cover topical
pensions law issues and include links to many useful pensions sites.
The Association of Women Barristers aims to represent,
support and further the interests of women barristers, to provide professional, business and social activities,
to offer educational courses, lectures and seminars to improve opportunities for women barristers,
to develop and foster contacts and cooperation with women lawyers practising both nationally and internationally
on issues of mutual concern and to bring about such contact with and consultation between the Association
and any other organisation, institution, government department, professional body or individual.
The Association of Women Solicitors
is an official group of the Law Society. Membership is open to any woman solicitor or trainee who is a Law
Society member or associate member. They aim to articulate and represent the view of women solicitors,
to promote women's interests in the profession, to campaign on issues important to women solicitors
and to actively oppose discrimination against women solicitors.
Bar Association for Local
Government and the Public Service is a direct successor of the Society
of Local Government Barristers, which had been in existence since
about 1945, and of the Bar Association for Local Government, which
had been formed in 1977. Membership is open to all barristers
employed in Local Government and the Public Sector (including those
in the civil service and in the armed forces) and bar students.
Barristers' Benevolent Association exists to support, help and comfort
those members of the Bar in England and Wales and their families and
dependants who are in need, in distress or in difficulties. During the recent
past they have helped barristers and their families in every circuit, often saving
not only dignity but careers.
The Black Lawyers Directory (BLD) is a directory being set up by
solicitor Debo Nwauzu to highlight, promote and champion diversity within the legal profession and also to create a
dynamic forum of information, career development and network opportunity where associations can be formed and
information shared. Debo says "I hope that the Directory can be an effective tool for all organisations when
formulating or reviewing their Equality and Diversity/Anti-Discrimination policies especially on recruitment
and the diversity of the lawyers or organisation they instruct or intend to instruct. It will also be an important
tool and mechanism for lawyers, legal recruiters, job seekers, the public and those interested in pursuing
careers in the law both within the UK and internationally.
BLD will profile, free of charge, all individual black and ethnic minority lawyers and all organisations with
at least one black and ethnic minority lawyer. Other lawyers who subscribe to and support BLD’s aims and objectives
will also be profiled."
At present, the site is just a holding page with the aims and objectives but a "flyer" can be downloaded and also the
registration forms for lawyers, organisations and service providers.
Black Solicitors Network was founded in 1995 to improve the profile of
black Solicitors; to share experiences; knowledge and information with a view to providing
a better quality of legal service; and to assist legal practitioners in running
their practices, particularly in relation to the use of information technology.
Since then, the Group has met on a regular basis. It has hosted speakers who have
addressed the Group on a variety of issues. It has lobbied the Law Society for better
representation for black solicitors and provided support to its members in the
running of their practices. In January 1996, the Group was registered in The Law
Society's Practice Advice Service.
British-German Jurists Association
(BGJA) is a group of several hundred lawyers and other professionals interested in
British-German legal practice. Membership includes solicitors, barristers, judges,
lecturers, notaries, diplomats, members of chambers of commerce and bankers.
The group aims to promote in Britain the study and knowledge of German Law
and the German legal system; to encourage and facilitate the education of
British and German lawyers in the study and practice of German and British law;
to co-operate with the Deutsch-Britische Juristenvereinigung to arrange lectures
and seminars in the U.K. and Germany and to cultivate personal and
professional relations between members of the profession in both countries.
City of London Law Society
acts as the Citys local Law Society and represents the professional interests of
City solicitors, who make up 15% of the profession in England and Wales,
by commenting on matters of law and practice and by lobbying extensively on the
issues and challenges facing the profession. The Society is also
The City of London Solicitors Company, which is a City Livery Company.
The Company reflects the history and tradition of the City and its institutions,
but it is also a modern professional organisation, promoting the interests of
solicitors in the City of London.
The Civil Court Users Association
exists to represent the interests of
organisations that use the Civil Courts in England and Wales. The Association
serves its members by lobbying the Department of Constitutional Affairs and the
Court Service on litigation matters relevant to the credit industry and is
focussed on improving the service provided by the Courts for Court Users.
The CCUA acts as a focal point for communication between its members, the DCA
and the Court Service. Regular regional meetings allow the members to raise and
discuss issues which are fed back to the National Council which in turn holds
regular liaison meetings with the Court Service.
The members of the Association are organisations and individuals that use, or
have an interest in the operation of, the Civil Courts in England and Wales.
They also offer CPD courses to their members.
Clarity is the International
Movement for Plain Legal Language, hosted by Solicitors Adler & Adler. There is a journal,
a set of seminars, and occasional meetings.
Commerce & Industry Group (C&I) is the sector of the Law Society
which represents lawyers working within companies and other organisations.
C&I aims to assist and promote in-house lawyers by the provision of advice, training and information relevant to their needs. In addition, C&I Regional Groups organise social events which allow lawyers, to meet and interact with colleagues in similar positions and create their own personal support networks.
Copyright Association of Ireland was formed by a group of people
who have an interest in copyright law (whether as legal practitioners, creators of copyright works or as academics).
It aims to promote informed debate on copyright, awareness of copyright among users of copyright works,
creators of copyright works and the public generally, to examine legislative measures having effect on copyright
and to promote informed debate and awareness of copyright by holding conferences and seminars.
Criminal Defence Solicitors Union is an association of
criminal defence practitioners who have banded together to fight this Government’s proposed great
experiment with the criminal justice system using price competitive tendering.
The CDSU campaigns to secure a real future for criminal defence firms, which, long before the emergence
of the Legal Services Commission or Department for Constitutional Affairs, made our criminal defence system work.
That system is now in a fragile and deteriorating state.
Criminal Law Solicitors Association
represents criminal practitioners throughout England and Wales. Membership of the Association
is open to any solicitor - prosecution or defence - and to court clerks, qualified or trainee - involved
with, or interested in, the practice of criminal law.
It is possible to search for a CLSA member solicitor by area (postcode), by name (of the solicitor or of the firm)
or by the court. There is a news section and a good set of links in the general criminal area.
There is also a members-only area with additional material.
Deaf Lawyers UK covers issues relating to
Deaf lawyers, as well as Deaf issues within the legal system. The website was set up by a group of Deaf
solicitors, barristers, law students and people trying to qualify as lawyers. It aims to respond to access
issues, publicise specialised information and raise awareness of issues Deaf people face ?ithin the legal system.
The site also aims to bring Deaf lawyers together, and to reach out to others who may not be aware of their rights.
There is a strong international element to the site with links to similar groups in the USA
and elsewhere.
The site includes a
Deaf Blawg. This is updated frequently
and includes contributions from a number of people. Prime topics appearing so far are immigration, citizenship and asylum,
and special problems for deaf people in these contexts, covered generally, but not entirely, from a legal point of view.
Dublin Solicitors Bar Association
(DSBA) was set up in 1938 by a group of solicitors
who identified the need for an Association of practising solicitors to reflect
the views of those practising throughout Dublin and to represent their interests.
At that time the number of solicitors throughout Dublin numbered no more than 355
and throughout the country a mere 789 as compared with the three thousand solicitors
in Dublin alone today and nearly seven thousand solicitors throughout the country.
It is purely and simply a representational body (not the Law Society) -
more a "trade union" for solicitors to lobby for the benefit of members
and the betterment of the Society.
The Education Law Association (ELAS) was founded in
1991 to support the advancement of education for the public benefit from pre-school through primary, secondary,
further, higher and adult education. There is a paper on the site called "A review of recent disability
discrimination and SEN cases heard in the courts, at SENDIST and by the Local Government Ombudsman".
Employment Lawyers Association,
started in 1992, is open to qualified lawyers, both barristers and solicitors,
practising in employment law in the UK and organisations engaged in the practice
of employment law.
European Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) is concerned with the co-operation of women
lawyers from all member states of the European Union. Its intermediate aim is to bundle up their specific
expertise in monitoring law and politics seen from the angle of gender. Long-term target is to build up a
women lawyers association acting on the European level as a pressure-group to enhance equality by means of
law, as for instance by giving expert opinions to and by lobbying political institutions, by proposing and
even outlining drafts for European directives, by bringing test cases to the European Court of Justice, by
informing and empowering women to claim their rights, by campaigning etc.
Target groups are women lawyers and women lawyers organizations whose major concern is to enhance equal
opportunities by means of law.
The European Young Bar Association (EYBA) is a non-profit making,
multinational young lawyers association founded on 23rd May 1993 in Prague. The group now represents the interests
of over 200,000 young lawyers and is the world's largest young lawyers group.
The group was established to encourage links between and to promote the interests and welfare of young
lawyers throughout geographical Europe. Membership of the EYBA is open to any representative young lawyers
association in a city or area within the geographical region of Europe, to associate members
(i.e. stagiares, trainees) and to individuals.
There is a magazine provided online, covering topical legal subjects, particularly those which concern young
lawyers and showing how the issues of the day will shape multinational professional services,
relevant to all lawyers, irrespective of jurisdiction.
You can register for the magazine by contacting
Ben Rigby.
Family Law Association of Scotland
has been in existence since 1989. Membership of the Association consists of members
of the legal profession in Scotland with extensive experience, specialisation or
interest in Family Law. The aims of the Association are
to promote public awareness of the positive contribution that the legal profession
has to make in Family Law,
to set up training courses to encourage and promote professional expertise,
to act as a network for the exchange of information, and
to develop a set of publicly acknowledged guidelines for its member Societies
which will encourage the sensitive, efficient and economic handling of disputes
and reaching solutions which are fair to all members of the family.
Family Mediators Association
offers trained mediators to help all couples facing separation or divorce
to reach decisions about dealing with children,
property and finance. They train and support Family
Mediators, and, as one of the founder members of the UK College of Family
Mediation, set and monitor standards in Family Mediation.
Financial Services Lawyers Association (FSLA)
provides a forum for the open exchange of views and the dissemination of knowledge and ideas in financial
services law and regulation.
It also aims to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge and ideas, to further members' education and training,
to encourage the involvement of students, graduates, trainees, pupils and junior lawyers and to
foster co-operation between the various financial services stakeholders, including practitioners,
academics, industry, regulators and government.
Forum of Insurance Lawyers.
To quote from its own description "FOIL is not a mouth-piece for the insurance
industry: it is a mouthpiece for all lawyers, solicitors and legal executives,
who act for insurance companies. Where there is a conflict of view between
insurers and their legal professionals then it is FOIL's job to
represent the interests of the lawyers concerned.
Freelance
Solicitors Group - a group providing services to freelance solicitors and maintaining
information about solicitors available for locum work.
This web address is no longer valid - can anyone tell me where the Freelance Solicitors Group now
has its web site or indeed, if the group still exists?
Group for Solicitors with Disabilities (GSD) was established in 1989
to bring to the fore the abilities and aspirations of solicitors with disabilities. The group aims
to provide a forum which will enable solicitors with disabilities to put forward their concerns to The Law Society,
government departments and the profession, and to others who have the power to affect the way that they are trained
and the way that they work. The group also provides events for members and the site provides news of
developments and research.
Home Information Pack Action Group (HIPAG) is a group of High Street
Solicitors intending to obtain a high degree of control over the domestic conveyancing market and thereby help
secure their futures. HIPAG already has over 80 member firms, stretching from Cornwall to Cumbria.
They intend to have a total of over 500 members (solicitors and estate agents combined) by the end of 2005.
As it says on the site "The Housing Act 2004 is soon going to determine how the buying and selling of property
is carried out. Home Information Packs (HIPs) will have to be in place before a property can be marketed.
Those estate agents and solicitors who can supply the quickest, most comprehensive and competitively priced
HIPs will be the ones who will win the lion's share of the work available." HIPAG intents to become a
"SHIP", a Specialist Home Information Pack supplier and believes it will be able to compete with any other
pack supplier in the market place including Rightmove and OneSearch Direct. Membership fees for solicitors to
join HIPAG start at £40 a month for four partner firms or less and £50 per month for a five partner firms or more.
The group has been set up by Rob Hailstone, who has been a residential conveyancer for 25 years.
The Human Rights Lawyers Association is open to
solicitors, barristers, judges, legal executives, in-house lawyers, government lawyers,
legal academics, pupils, trainees and students who have an interest in human rights law.
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
(ICSA) is the professional body for Chartered Secretaries.
Chartered Secretaries work as company
secretaries, share registrars, charity secretaries, senior managers
in local and central government,
educational institutions and hospitals, and in many other positions,
in all sectors of the economy.
Founded in 1891, The Institute has 44,000 Members and 28,000 students in over 70 countries.
Institute of Legacy Management
promotes professional standards in legacy administration and provides consultancy,
training and support services to its members. Currently, Members represent over
250 UK charities, receiving half of the 1+ billion bequeathed to voluntary organisations
every year.
There are a fact sheets on the site, covering topics such as Capital Gains Tax,
Ex-Gratia Payments and the Royal Sign Manual Direction and there is a database of former charity names and addresses
in the UK, useful for lawyers finding themselves with a long-standing will where
either (or both) the name or address of the charitable organisation may be out of date.
Together with the Law Society, they have recently published a booklet called
'Charities as Beneficiaries'.
International Bar Association (IBA)
has 16,000 individual members in 183 countries. It is based in London.
Grouped into three Sections -Business Law, Legal Practice, and Energy & Natural Resources Law -
more than 60 specialist Committees provide members with access to leading experts and up to date
information as well as top-level professional development and network-building opportunities
through high quality publications and world-class Conferences. The IBA's Human Rights Institute
works across the Association, helping to promote, protect and enforce human rights under a just
rule of law, and to preserve the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession worldwide.
Immigration Law Practitioners' Association
is the UK's professional association of lawyers and academics practicing in
or concerned about immigration, asylum and nationality law. ILPA now has more than 1,200 members
including lawyers, advice workers, academics and law students.
It is regularly consulted by the Government on key issues relating to immigration, refugee a
nd nationality law. Membership is by application supported by two references
and subject to an annual membership fee. It is only open to persons subject
to a professional disciplinary body.
The Institute of Legal Cashiers
(ILCA) is the UK's professional body dedicated to the education and support
of legal cashiers and other specialist financial and administrative personnel
working within the legal community. The ILCA' magazine Legal Abacus
reports on the activities of the ILCA and provides news and information for all staff who
deal with the finance and administration of a legal practice.
The ILCA site also provides information on courses, publications, training seminars, exhibitions, advisory
service and other membership facilities, as well as close liaison with other
sections of the legal community. A particularly useful service is the register
of vacancies.
The Institute of Paralegals aims to
act as a focal point for the fast-developing paralegal profession, to encourage thedevelopment of
the paralegal profession, to develop professional support services for paralegals and to
represent the views of paralegals to government and other interested parties.
'Paralegal' is the general professional description for non-lawyers (i.e. people who are not
solicitors or barristers) who work in, or with, the law - regardless of their job title.
Most paralegals are employed as administrators, managers, clerks, etc. The site has information
on becoming a paralegal, information on courses, recruitment and careers, and information
on initiatives and news of the legal world.
JUSTICE is an all party, law reform
and human rights organisation working to improve the legal system and the quality
of justice by
promoting human rights, improving the legal system and access to justice, improving
criminal justice, and raising standards of EU justice and home affairs.
Justice has also set up a separate site called
The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
which was proclaimed in December 2000 and incorporated as Part Two of the Treaty establishing a
Constitution for Europe on 18 June 2004. This is the first formal EU document to combine and declare
all the values and fundamental rights (economic and social as well as civil and political) to which
EU citizens should be entitled.
JUSTICE is the well known and respected human rights and law reform charity
described above, and now there is also a
JUSTICE student human rights network. Launched a year
ago, the group is aimed at creating a lively, interactive
network for all those studying the law who are interested in human rights. The mailing list for the network
now apparently stands at 855, many of whom forward the emails and bulletins onto other students, friends, colleagues, etc.
They have now published four electronic bulletins, held four very successful seminars at the Guardian Newsroom and
have two more planned for November, and they are also aiming to put on a big conference in the spring of next year.
The latest bulletin, sent out this week, is
here. One particular feature of the site is a very
comprehensive list of links to resources and organisations involved with human rights and covering Asylum, Criminal Justice,
Equality, EU Justice and Home Affairs, Human Rights, International Human Rights, Legal Systems and Privacy.
LawCare gives health support
and advice to Solicitors and Barristers and their families and colleagues on
alcohol problems, depression, stress and drugs. There are articles and
also links to other bodies involved in these areas of concern.
Law Management Section
of the Law Society is a forum for the exchange of the latest ideas and information
across the spectrum of management disciplines. It is open to all solicitors and those
involved ?n law firm management. The group provides a newsletter, seminars and discounts on various
publications and intends to be a useful source of information generally.
Lawyers' Christian Fellowship.
Originally founded in 1852, in London, as the Lawyers' Prayer Union,
the Lawyers Christian Fellowship has grown to become a national organisation
with around 1300 members at every stage of the legal profession. There
is a special section for students and a set of links to other
organisations relating both to legal and to religious sites.
Lawyers for Liberty - see under Liberty, below.
Lawyerswithkids.com is a website designed to help parents
who work in the legal profession. It has been set up by two solicitors, one who specialised in commercial
law and the other from a criminal defence background. They decided to set up the website to provide a
means of communication for mothers and fathers alike, working in the public and private sector.
It is for inhouse lawyers, barristers in chambers, paralegals, members of the judiciary as well as solicitors.
Their goal is to provide a community through a forum, a blog and shared comment in combining the roles
of parent and lawyer in the modern age.
Legal Action Group (LAG)
is the national, independent charity which
campaigns for equal access to justice for all members of society and
supports lawyers who share that aim. It is now 25 years old,
Legal Aid Practitioners Group
represents over 800 firms of High Street Solicitors, committed to legal aid work.
There is news on legal aid developments and information on lobbying,
meetings and events. There is also a comprehensive programme of reasonably priced CPD courses
offered and (just beginning) job vacancies are being placed on the site.
There is also a discussion forum for practitioners to share their concerns about Lord Carter's reforms. It is available
to anyone to contribute, not just LAPG members. Director Richard Miller said,
"It is vitally important that the profession reads the Carter report and consultation paper and that
people share their hopes, fears and ideas about the proposals. This forum gives people the chance
to discuss the proposals with other practitioners, and to influence the response of the profession's
representative bodies."
The Legal Education & Training Group
acts as a think tank and pressure group on behalf of its nationwide members
(120+ and rising - of all sizes and practice areas), on training and
professional development issues and in identifying developing and promoting
best practice in legal training.
Legal Practice Management Association (LPMA)
was founded 5 years ago with the intention of providing a supportive networking forum for the
dissemination of information to those involved in, or seeking involvement in, legal practice management.
Membership now exceeds 50. The Association holds on average 10 events per year on topics
relevant to the legal sector. Events usually take the form of evening sessions with guest speakers.
Liberty (previously the NCCL)
is the major independent human rights organisation which works to defend and extend rights
and freedoms in England and Wales. Founded in 1934, it is the largest organisation
of its kind in Europe. One of their functions is to pursue test cases through the
English Courts and then the ECHR; there are details of these cases on the site.
They also lobby Government and inform the media of important issues.
There is also a particular section for Lawyers called Lawyers for Liberty. They run courses
and there is an important series of courses on Human Rights and particular aspects of
law running over the Autumn - see here for details, as well as
the Liberty site itself. The courses are run with specialist chambers, e.g. 2 Garden Court
and 39 Essex Street.
London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association?
was founded in 1948 for Solicitors who practise in and around the Greater London area.
Included are Crown Prosecutors and self employed advocates. The society aims to
encourage and maintain the highest standards of advocacy and practice in the
Criminal Courts in and around London; to participate in discussions on
developments in the criminal process; to represent and further the interests
of the Members on any matters which may affect Solicitors who practise in the
Criminal Courts; and to improve, develop and maintain the education and
knowledge of those actively concerned with the Criminal Courts, including
those who are in the course of their training. There are consultation papers on the site and links to
legal bodies in the general crime area.
Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS)
is a non-profit making organisation set up by solicitors specialising in road accidents
and compensation claims. Members are bound by a charter setting minimum service standards.
The site offers extensive information on what do do if you have an accident,
how to make a claim and how fee insurance works. You can locate a
local member of the society from the site.
Medico-Legal Society,
which aims to promote Medico-Legal knowledge in all its aspects.
Membership of the Society includes subscription to the Medico-Legal Journal,
the Official Journal of the Society.
National Association of
Paralegals caters for unadmitted support staff in Solicitors' offices. They
provide a professional career progression with qualifications obtained through
examinations and assessment (courses run by FE colleges throughout the country)
and also put on short vocational courses, seminars and workshops.
Notaries' Society,
the representative society for the 900 or so Notaries' Public practising in
England and Wales outside Central London. There is information about notaries and
a search process to find one in any particular area.
Pan-European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers
(PEOPIL) aims to develop co-operation and networking of personal injury lawyers within Europe
and to promote access to the legal system for consumers suffering personal injury.
It is based on APIL as well as other individual lawyers across Europe.
Probates Section of the Law Society
provides support to solicitors and other lawyers in England and Wales whose work involves probate,
inheritance tax, elderly client advice, wills, trusts, enduring power of attorneys and related property law.
The site includes news and events as well as providing information for members of the group.
Property Litigation Association exists
to promote specialist property litigation skills within the property industry, to provide a
network for the exchange of information among members, to promote and encourage education and
training in property litigation and to develop a public voice of
property litigation with a media profile and a lobbying capacity. The association provides
conferences and workshops and works closely with a number of organisations to improve the law.
Scottish Law Agents Society (SLAS) is the
largest voluntary association of Scottish Solicitors and
represents the interests of the profession, often providing the alternative
voice to that of the Law Society of Scotland. They respond to Consultation
Papers, comment on proposed legislation and have regular meetings with
decision makers in the regulation of the profession.
They publish the Scottish Law Gazette 6 times a year (much of which is online),
run CPD events throughout Scotland provide social events throughout the year.
Scottish Legal Action Group (SCOLAG)
promotes equal access to justice in Scotland.
The Group seeks to improve and advance Scots law for the benefit of those members ?
of society who are economically, socially, or otherwise disadvantaged.
The Social Housing Law Association (SHLA) was formed in late 2005
by a group of housing professionals and lawyers who saw the need for a forum where ideas and information could
be exchanged and discussed. SHLA is run by a committee of housing professionals, solicitors and barristers.
Society for Computers and Law - the
largest national society covering these topics. The SCL offers
conferences, local groups, specialist meetings, a journal and,
on the web page, legal links and news pages.
Society of Construction Law,
founded in 1983, works to promote for the public
benefit education, study and research in the field of construction law and related
subjects (including adr, arbitration and adjudication), both in the UK and overseas.
The Society has over 1,300 members from all sectors of the construction industry.
There is a newsletter, information about events and links to
construction-related web sites.
The Society of Asian Lawyers ("SAL"), formed in 1990,
is the UK's largest independent legal society. Members are from a cross section of the legal community;
partners in large City firms, principally London based; partners practising in the provinces; barristers;
assistant lawyers; trainees; executives and students. About fifty per cent of the membership are female.
The SAL organises a large variety of professional and social functions through the year; providing an
ideal opportunity for members to make new professional and social contacts in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
The Society of Solicitor Advocates,
in Scotland, provides information on what it means to be
a Solicitor Advocate, a searchable directory of those holding the additional
rights and a criminal solicitor advocates booking system. There is also a regularly updated
news section.
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
("STEP") is the Professional body for the trust and estate profession in
the UK and worldwide. STEP members come from the legal, accountancy, corporate trust, banking, insurance and
related professions, and are involved at senior level in the planning, creation, management
of and accounting for trusts and estates, executorship administration, and related taxes.
The Society of Writers to Her Majestys Signet
(the WS Society) is apparently the oldest legal society
in the world. It is a private society of Scottish solicitors designed to represent them
but also to educate them and ensure the highest standards of professional competence.
It is open to all Scottish solicitors who have practised for 3 years and there are at
present around 675 full members. The site includes information on the history and
aims of the society and also news of meetings, legal developments, courses put on
by the Society and information about the Library (the Society is based at the
Signet Library in Edinburgh). You can book the historic rooms too.
Solicitors' Association of Higher Court Advocates
(SAHCA) is the only national association (with over 400 members) representing
the interests of solicitors who practise or who aspire to practise as
advocates in the Higher Courts. The aims and objectives of the association
include promoting the maintenance of the highest ethical and professional
standards of advocacy in the Higher Courts, to promote the interests of those
who practise or seek to practise as solicitor-advocates and to promote and
encourage the education and training of solicitor-advocates.
Solicitors Assistance Scheme
offers assured confidential advice to fellow solicitors on any problem troubling them, whether
personal or professional. There are 100 members around the country.
Problems such as stress, disciplinary matters, partnership disputes
or financial worries, will all be advised on. The first consultation remains free of charge and
thereafter the mem?er will discuss any appropriate remuneration. Changes made to meet the pressures
faced in the present day include recruiting solicitors Scheme members trained in counselling skills and in helping
with financial difficulties.
Solicitors Benevolent Association (SBA) was founded in 1858 as the
Solicitors Benevolent Society, is the principal nationwide charity for solicitors in England and Wales.
The aim of the Association is to assist solicitors and their dependents who are in need.
As at 31 December 2003 there were 319 'active' beneficiaries, including 7 in Nursing or Residential Homes,
62 students and the remainder (including 62 dependent children) living in private accommodation.
Solicitors in Local Government Limited is a professional
association which represents the 4,000 local government solicitors and trainees in England and Wales.
It runs a network of 9 regional branches which provide networking and training opportunities through
branch meetings and Special Interest Groups.
Providing over 100 courses a year, LGG Training offers the local government lawyer all the
practice updates, professional skills and practice management training they will need.
Solicitors Pro Bono Group is a small
independent charity with a mission to support, promote and encourage a commitment to
pro bono across the solicitors' profession. Their new site provides information on a
number of initiatives, particularly to provide free legal advice to community and
voluntary organisations and an initiative to get students involved in pro bono work at an early stage.
There are various ways on the site to match volunteers with areas of need.
Solicitors Family Law Association, now known as Resolution, is
an association of over 5,000 solicitors who agree to follow a Law Society
recommended Code of Practice which essentially
aims to deal with matters in a way designed to preserve peoples dignity
and encourage them to reach agreement. Partly designed for members of the public,
the site provides a searchable directory of members and also a set of fact sheets.
Solicitors for the Elderly
is a national association of solicitors, barristers and legal executives who are concerned
with improving the availability and delivery of legal services to older people.
The site contains a list of member solicitors, arranged by town or area,
and also a very good set of links to other bodiesconcerned with elderly people and the law,
benefits, health, illness, social services, carers and so on.
For information about the Solicitors Human Rights group, please
contact either of the following:
Nicholas Humphrey, 0171 250 0276,
email deBeri.Hum@virgin.net
Nicolas Steineke, 0171 916 3032,
email steineke@globalnet.co.uk
The Solicitors' Sole Practitioners Group
is one of seven Law Society recognised groups which
represent particular sectors of the profession and there are 4,800 members.
The site has useful information about the group and future conferences,
events and special deals for SP's. There is a current legal news section,
a discussion group and the magazine online (in pdf format).
Solicitors Support network is an
umbrella site for the groups providing support and assistance to solicitors with professional
or personal problems or who are just needing a bit of encouragement at a particular stage of their career.
T
the solicitors group is a professional
and inventive association for small to medium sized legal practices and currently represents 330 firms.
It provides its members with excellent discounts on a range of services with a £24,351 saving achievable
for a typical 5 partner firm.
The Trainee Solicitors Group campaigns to support
tomorrow's solicitor today by promoting and protecting the interests and welfare of both
present and future members, at all stages of training.
Membership is free but you have to 'Opt-In' by completing the membership registration form on the site.
There are about 46,000 members.
The site acts as an information portal for all PGDL,
LPC and CPE students, all trainee solicitors, paralegals up to two years?post-completion of the LPC and
newly-qualified solicitors up to one year post-qualification.
There is a free quarterly magazine; the Trainee, special membership of the Solicitors' Pro Bono Group,
numerous discounts available and representation at the Law Society and within the legal profession
on a number of issues.
The UK Environmental Law Association is the national
association for those involved in the practice, study or
formulation of Environmental Law. It has amongst its aims:
* To collate and disseminate information relating to environmental law and
* To identify, review, advise and comment on issues of environmental law and its application.
There are events listed on the site and also copies of consultation papers and responses
to government and international initiatives.
Young Solicitors Group is a recognised Law Society Group
run as a company limited by guarantee, representing approximately 49,250 Members and Associate Members
of The Law Society throughout England & Wales who are under the age of 36 or who are less than 5 years qualified.
Currently, membership of ysg is free and automatic upon registration with The Law Society.
The group co-ordinates policy issues and lobbies The Law Society, the Government and others on issues that
affect the daily lives of young solicitors. There are a number of regional sub-groups. The site describes
the aims and work of the group and gives details of events and local groups.
