Nicholas Lee

Bristol Law Society

Bristol Law Society (BLS) is the oldest local law society in the country, founded in 1770 when a group of local practitioners got together to share the cost of books. This innovative approach has continued through the years and has resulted in BLS being acknowledged as one of the most progressive and active local law societies in the country. The Society's modern offices are in Bristol's commercial centre by the historic waterfront at 12 Colston Avenue. The Society is governed by a President, two Vice Presidents and other executive officers alongside a Council of solicitors. It runs a number of social, charity and sporting events including quizzes, summer party, the annual Awards Dinner and Legal Sunday celebrations. They offer great networking opportunities for members and non members. BLS is an active member of the Association of South Western Law Societies and the Joint V (with Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester Law Societies) through which officers meet regularly with their counterparts. These liaisons offer a wider view of the needs and requirements of the profession and create particularly strong lobbying forces. BLS also provides a range of services to its members including a historic library, an annual programme of courses and seminars and a legal recruitment consultancy.