The Law Society of Northern Ireland (the Law Society) is the independent and self-funding body which governs solicitors in Northern Ireland. Our independence and self-funding ensures we remain free from influence from government and other sectional interests.

Established by Royal Charter in 1922, the Law Society sets and regulates professional and ethical standards for solicitors for the protection of the public.

Professional and ethical standards are twofold: those which relate to the quality of the legal service clients are entitled to expect from their solicitor, and those which relate to the behaviour of their solicitor. They include the propriety of solicitors’ conduct in general and the handling of client funds in particular.

The profession comprises some 2,700 practising solicitors in Northern Ireland. There is a wide network of over 530 solicitors’ firms in private practice at over 70 locations throughout the jurisdiction, ranging from sole practitioners to 10 or more partners or directors in larger firms. Solicitors also work in the public sector, in-house organisations, and other legal employment.

The Law Society is an authoritative voice on justice issues and issues surrounding the administration of law and protection of the citizen’s fundamental rights and freedoms. We promote the benefit of legal expertise of solicitors for the local community and business, with the added value solicitors bring in terms of commercial acumen, diversity and experience in finding solutions.