History of Manchester Law Society
Just before Christmas in 1838, sixteen solicitors met in the Manchester Law Library to establish what was to become one of Britain's most respected legal groups. Originally entitled the Manchester Law Association, with a life membership fee of ten guineas, its raison d etre was to support the respectability of the legal profession, promote fair and liberal practise, maintain the interest of the profession in relation to changes of law or practise, promote the information of members settle disputed points of practise, decide questions of usage and prevent abuses?. These tenets hold good today. By 1845 the Law Society's Rooms at 4 Norfolk Street were established as the meeting place of solicitors - daily at 3pm to transact business. (They also took advantage of the kitchen which supplied members with chops, steak and coffee!).
More significantly, in the same year, Manchester was chosen to host the first annual meeting of the provincial Law Association, formed to resist attempts at centralisation by London. Even Manchester was selected by the other Societies, because of its ease of access and the efficiency of the Manchester Law Association.
It was not until 1910, however that the Association formally adopted its present title, at which time several neighbouring but smaller Societies were affiliated.
Today
Manchester, a flourishing commercial, cultural and sporting centre, is supported by an innovative and lively Law Society.
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.
The Society
The Manchester Law Society comprises approximately 1,200 full members with 600 affiliated members from Stockport, Tameside & Glossop, Oldham and Rochdale Law Societies.
The Society is administered on a Committee system. The Council of the Society which meets once a month, consists of the Officers (President, Vice President, Joint Honorary Secretaries, Honorary Treasurer and Immediate Past President), two national Law Society Council Members, twenty one ordinary members and five representatives from the affiliated societies. The Society continues to promote the interests of its members, so clearly stated in 1838, through the work of its various sub committees, to which Council Members are appointed i.e. Conveyancing, Social/Public Relations/Membership, Legal Education, Crown & Magistrates Court and Civil Litigation. These Committees meet on a regular basis and report back to the Council at its monthly meetings. During the Society's administrative year various ad hoc sub committees are convened to discuss consultation papers, circulated from the national Law Society and the Department for Constitutional Affairs or to discuss any other important and relevant topic.
The Society administers an extensive legal education programme running courses and seminar on all aspects of law and its practice.
The Society has hosted an annual Dinner at the House of Commons with local members of Parliament and the House of Lords which has become a very valuable forum for discussion of items of interest concerning members of parliament, the legal profession, clients and constituents.
Having helped to establish Law Centres in Manchester the Society continues to be actively involved in their work.
The Society also organises its Annual Dinner and the annual President's Charity Ball which raises money for local children's charities. Another innovation for the Society was the formation of the Manchester Lawyers Dinner Club which meets three times a year and is a forum for members of the Society to meet and exchange ideas and views in relaxed and informal surroundings, while tasting the delights of the varied local cuisine, offered in Manchester's many restaurants.
The Society also supports wholeheartedly the thriving Manchester Young Solicitors Association and the Manchester Trainee Solicitors Group and has been instrumental in setting up The Young Professionals Network. Other social events for members, their colleagues and contacts include the annual Beaujolais Bash and Pub Quiz.
Contributing to the City
Manchester pioneered the Small Claims Court, setting up a scheme to allow easy access to civil justice, the principles of which are incorporated in the present County Court Rules, particularly those relating to arbitration in small claims.
Another first for the City occurred in 1990 when the Northern Commercial Court, now the Mercantile Court, the first such court outside London, was established in the North West, based in Manchester and Liverpool with its own full-time Judge.
In addition Manchester Law Society has been instrumental in setting up a commercial arbitration service which seeks to provide a flexible, informal and speedy alternative to public legal confrontation.
Manchester Law Society also administers the Rent Possession Duty Solicitor Scheme for the County Court.
Manchester Law Society enjoy very close links with a number of professional bodies throughout the city including the City Council, Manchester Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Accountants, Bankers, Insurers, Surveyors, Architects, pro.manchester and Bank of England to name but a few.
The Society also have a very good working relationship with the other local law societies in the North West, the national Law Society and in particular the North West Regional Office and have regular meetings, entitled the Joint 4 with Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool Law Societies.
Manchester in Europe
In keeping with its innovative traditions, Manchester was the first provincial Law Society to make contact with equivalent bodies in mainland Europe and the first to be made a member of the influential EC legal organisation the Federation of European Bars.
Another first for the Society in 1993 was the hosting of the second Convention of JuristEurope, a four day convention for international business lawyers. The first of these biannual conventions was held in Bordeaux in 1991 and Manchester followed on from that success with lawyers attending from over 26 different countries. Successful conferences have been held with fellow lawyers in Amsterdam and Bordeaux.
In May 1991 a visit was made to Lodz to participate in a 4 day conference with Polish lawyers. Lectures were provided on English Law with the aim of assisting Polish Lawyers in the development of law as their Country emerged into democracy and in order to pave the way for the establishment of English practises in Poland. Manchester firms have acted as hosts of Polish Lawyers, who have spent time in this Country to learn about the English legal system and management of law firms.
In April 1993 Manchester hosted the plenary session of the Council of the bars and Law Societies of Europe.
In December 1993 the Manchester Law Society entered into a legal twinning with the Bar of Lyon. A Manchester delegation visited Lyon in December, 1993, during which a formal ceremony for the signing of the agreement was held. The Manchester Law Society and the Bar of Lyon organise periodic meetings between delegations of colleagues to exchange views and information and also arrange exchange visits for its members from trainee solicitor level upwards.
Should you have any questions or require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Society on 0161 831 7337 or fran@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk.
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