Leeds Law Society (one of the oldest local law societies in the UK) was founded in 1805 for “the protection and advancement of the character status and interests of attorneys and solicitors practising within four miles of the Borough of Leeds”. For the first 70 years of its existence the Society had no home of its own, so meetings took place in local hotels. Business meetings were followed by dinner with latecomers fined 2s 6d as a penalty for being late!

The Society was incorporated in 1870 and at that time still had only 33 members. From 1876 to 1920 the Society rented business premises in Albion Place. When the lease of those premises expired the then committee took the bold decision to purchase the adjoining building at 1 Albion Place, for the princely sum of £8,750! That building has remained home to the Leeds Law Society ever since. (more…)

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Today, Manchester Law Society thrives with more than 1,800 members. Their breath of expertise reflects the Society’s position at the forefront of Britain’s second city, which boasts the strongest commercial centre outside London, the major provincial branch of the Bank of England and more than 60 foreign financial institutions.

Two of its former Presidents were among the first solicitors in the country to be appointed Judges, and one of these, The Hon. Mr Justice Sachs, was the first solicitor appointed to the High Court Bench.

In 1993 the Society, and Manchester, were honoured that one of its own Council Members, Mr Rodger Pannone, was elected President of the Law Society nationally, during the same year that Miss Geraldine McCool, also from Manchester, became the Chair of the National Young Solicitors Group and Mr John Rowe QC became Chairman of the Bar Council. (more…)

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On 25th August 1827, a few Liverpool Men gathered in a dusty room in Clarendon Buildings, on the corner of North John Street and Lord Street to discuss a proposed Law Library for Liverpool.  At that time the cost for membership fees in 1827 was £15.  It had long been felt that Liverpool needed a Law Library due to the high prices of law books.  According to the Annual Report of 1829, there were 52 members.  Most of their names now forgotten but some survived until very recently in the names of Liverpool firms.  The first President was Joshua Lace whose name is still reflected, in the firm of Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP.  Samuel Brabner’s name survives in Brabners Chaffe Street LLP.  The name of his contemporary founding member, John Holden was reflected until 2001 in the firm of Brabner Holden.  Within six months the fledgling library was sufficiently stocked with books either bought or donated by members.  In 1834, the society’s name was changed from Liverpool Law Library Society to the Liverpool Law Society.  By the time the Annual Report of 1893 was printed, there were 348 members and the President was James Alsop whose name survived until recently in the name of the national firm Dibb Lupton Alsop, now known as DLA.  (Extract taken from “A Century of Liverpool Lawyers” written by Noel Fagan, Graeme Bryson and Charles Elston). (more…)

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The MYSG is a group for solicitors of up to 10 years’ PQE in the Greater Manchester area. We aim to provide networking opportunities both with other solicitors and with other professionals, through links with our counterpart groups, such as RICS (chartered surveyors) and MYCAG (accountants). (more…)

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The Merseyside JLD is an independent association affiliated to the National JLD.  It strives to provide an educational and professional support network for young lawyers in the Merseyside region and is equipped to represent the views and opinions of its members on a national level.

As a committee, the Merseyside JLD provides a wide range of services, including networking opportunities through its social and sporting events, educational talks and seminars, work experience and charity fundraising. The Merseyside JLD encourages members, irrespective of age or qualification status, to participate in all that it has to offer. (more…)

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