The Law Society Council Seat vacancies

Posted on11 April 2024

Every year, a number of seats on our Council come up for election. Council has 97 seats, each filled by a solicitor representing a constituency relating to a geographic area, work practice or characteristic. These representatives ensure the views of solicitors in their constituency are heard as we set our position on key issues affecting the profession and develop a high-quality and relevant member offer.

Preliminary notice is hereby given, in accordance with bye-law 49, that elections for members of the Council will take place for the constituencies listed below:

Central London (two seats)
Cumbria and North Lancashire
Devon and Somerset
Dorset
Essex
Lincolnshire
Liverpool
Manchester
Mid and West Wales
Northeast
Nort East London
Warwickshire and Worcestershire (casual vacancy for 1 year)
Yorkshire and Humberside
Criminal Defence (casual vacancy for 2 years)
Junior Lawyers (0-6 years’ PQE) (four seats)
6-12 years’ PQE (two seats)
Sole practitioner

All information about how to stand for election, what’s involved in being a Council member and all forms, guidance notes, etc., can be found here. Nominations are open until 10 May 2024.

Blurb for newsletters, etc.:

Stand for election to the Law Society’s Council
Help shape our strategy and business plans, act as an expert legal voice when we speak to the media and make sure our members’ views are reflected when we talk to government about key legislation and reform by standing for election to our Council.

It’s not just an opportunity to network, raise your profile and help us make sure we provide relevant and valuable support to our members. Each year, a member of our Council is elected to become our next deputy vice president, before ultimately going on to become the president of the Law Society.

Nominations are open until 10 May 2024: Find out how to stand

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS