Law Society of Northern Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Law Society of Northern Ireland is a professional body established by Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
granted on 10 July 1922 and whose powers and duties are to regulate the solicitors' profession in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
with the aim of protecting the public.
Under the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, the Law Society acts as the regulatory authority governing the education, accounts, discipline and professional conduct of solicitors in order to maintain the independence, ethical standards, professional competence and quality of services offered to the public.
The Society operates through an elected Council of thirty members, all practising solicitors who serve on a voluntary basis. The Society employs qualified solicitors and chartered accountant
Chartered Accountant
Chartered Accountants were the first accountants to form a professional body, initially established in Britain in 1854. The Edinburgh Society of Accountants , the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants were each granted a royal charter almost from...
s to carry out the administrative role of the Society. The Society's role is to regulate and to provide a service for its members.
Regulation of solicitors includes the annual issue of a Practising Certificate to each solicitor. This certificate entitles the solicitor to hold himself or herself out as a solicitor entitled to practice in Northern Ireland. The Society has a dedicated department, which handles complaints by clients against solicitors.
Over the years the Society has contributed to draft legislation and frequently comments on proposed changes to the law including the impact of the changes on solicitors, their clients and the community.
In 2010, the Society welcomed the Devolution of Policing and Justice powers to the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly. Since then the Society has through its Presidential and Chief Executive team have met with the Minister for Justice, David Ford MLA and the Department of Justice in relation to a number of pressing issues affecting the solicitor profession and their clients.
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Presidential Team
The Law Society Presidential and Chief Executive team consists of the President, Senior Vice President, Junior President and Chief Executive.
The Presidential team for 2010/2011 were appointed on Wednesday 24th November 2010. The new Presidential team are as follows:
- President - Brian H Speers
- Senior Vice President - Norville J Connolly
- Junior Vice President - Imelda McMillan
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Chief Executive and Senior Management Team
The Chief Executive of the Law Society is Mr Alan Hunter who is supported by a senior management team. For more details please go to: http://www.lawsoc-ni.org/about-us/senior-officers/
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Past Presidents
- 2005 — Attracta Wilson
- 2006 — Rory McShane
- 2007 — James Cooper
- 2008 — Donald Eakin
- 2009 — Barry Finlay
- 2010 — Norville Connolly
- 2011 — Brian Speers
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