Shaping the legal environment

Growing one of the most important sectors for our local economy, to promote justice and to attract and retain the talent we need to ensure Leeds continues to be recognised as the biggest legal centre outside of London.

One of the oldest local law societies in the UK

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.

The legal sector is constantly evolving and so are we. We constantly strive to find new ways to meet our members’ needs and work to remain ahead of the curve to ensure that we continue to influence the changing landscape of the law.



About Leeds Law Society

As one of the biggest and most powerful law societies in the country, we are opinion-formers who campaign in the corridors of power both nationally and locally to make sure your concerns are heard and that your opinions matter.

With a prestigious history and a dynamic modern board of directors, we are connected to key decision makers across the city, across the region and across the country. Members get access to the people that matter.

As part of a national network of law societies (the Joint V and the Yorkshire Union), we regularly welcome some of the biggest names in the legal industry to Leeds and make sure our members get access to the people that matter.

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Leeds Law Society History

In January 1905, a dinner was held at Powolny’s Rooms in Great George Street to celebrate the Society’s centenary. The then Lord Chief Justice (Lord Alverstone) attended and spoke, commenting upon the speed with which he had travelled from London to Leeds at 55 miles per hour by Great Northern Rail!

The centenary of the incorporation of the Society was celebrated in 1970 with a full page spread in the Yorkshire Post, a Centenary Dinner at the Civic Hall and a reception at Temple Newsam House – noted in the Society’s records as being the first occasion when ladies were invited to one of the Society’s functions! Seven years later the Society elected its first lady President, Shirley Schofield.

The Presidential badge of office, presented to the Society on its incorporation in 1870, bears the names of all of the Presidents who have held office since that time. Many of the names on the badge are synonymous with the names of the well-known law firms in Leeds.

When the Society celebrated its Bicentenary in 2005, its membership was higher than ever, an indication of the growth of the legal community in Leeds since 1805.

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