History of
the Law Society
The Law Society of NSW can trace its origins back to 1842, when a small group of solicitors recognised the need to ‘to promote good feeling and fair and honourable practice among members of the profession so as best to preserve the interests and retain the confidence of the public’.
Since then the Law Society has been given increasing statutory powers and played a diverse role in promoting and regulating the fair practise of law throughout NSW.
Now more than 125 years after it was founded, the Law Society is the largest and most influential direct legal membership association in Australia.
Significant milestones
|
1884 |
On 22 September, solicitors across the state vote to formalise the Society as 'The Incorporated Law Institute of New South Wales'. It's purposes were to reform the law, represent the profession and encourage the study of law |
|
1885 |
The Institute’s first Annual Meeting of members |
|
1935 |
The Legal Practitioners Act cemented the Institute’s power to regulate solicitor’s trust accounts and administer the Solicitors Fidelity Guarantee Fund, discipline members and issue annual practising certificates |
|
1947 |
First Annual Dinner held |
|
1952 |
Women Lawyers Association of NSW formally constituted |
|
1956 |
Inaugural annual convention of regional law societies |
|
1959 |
The Institute purchases the current site at 170 Phillip Street in Sydney |
|
1960 |
Institute renamed The Law Society of New South Wales |
|
1962 |
Young Members Committee (later to become NSW Young Lawyers) established |
|
1963 |
The Law Society Journal first published |
|
1970 |
The Law Society building officially opened in Phillip Street |
|
1970 |
The Law Society establishes Legal Aid NSW |
|
1973 |
The Law Society helps establish The College of Law, replacing the former Articles of Clerkship, with a full-time Practical Legal Training Course for graduates intending to enter practice as solicitors |
|
1973 |
Young Members Committee renamed the Young Lawyers committee |
|
1974 |
Legal Practitioners Act amended, giving the the Law Society of NSW Council powers to appoint inspectors to examine the trust accounts of solicitors |
|
1975 |
The College of Law officially opens |
|
1980 |
NSW Young Lawyers formed with its own constitution rules and by-laws |
|
1981 |
First female President of the Law Society, Mahla Pearlman |
|
1982 |
Creation of Mock Trial Competition for NSW high school students |
|
1983 |
Establishment of Law Week in NSW |
|
1987 |
Section 71 of the Legal Practitioners Act amended, enabling the Council to establish a scheme of mandatory continuing legal education |
|
1989 |
The Law Society establishes the Law Industry Superannuation Trust (LIST), later to merge with LISS (Vic) to form legalsuper1991: LawCare established |
|
1992 |
Office of the Legal Services Commissioner established to be the first point of contact for complaints about solicitors |
|
1992 |
Creation of the Specialist Accreditation Scheme |
|
1992 |
Creation of the Law Society's Pro Bono Scheme |
|
1993 |
The Legal Profession Act is amended, giving statutory powers to the Law Society to make professional rules |
|
1996 |
Solicitors Limitation of Liability Scheme established (now Law Society of NSW Scheme) |
|
1996 |
Law Society newsletter, Caveat, goes online |
|
1996 |
Launch of the Law Society's website: Law Society Online |
|
2001 |
Establishment of the Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP) |
|
2001 |
Lawcover Insurance Pty Ltd is granted a licence by APRA |
|
2004 |
On July 1, the application of the National Competition Policy (1998) shifts membership to a voluntary basis |
|
2004 |
Launch of Monday Briefs e-newsletter for Law Society members |
|
2009 |
Launch of Young Lawyers Mentoring Program |
|
2009 |
Introduction of the Compliance Analysis Review Scheme (CARS) |
|
2009 |
The Law Society celebrates 125 years as the professional association for solicitors in NSW |
|
2011 |
Launch of Lawyers Guide to Sanity, Profitability & Wellbeing seminar series |
|
2011 |
Establishment of the Member Assistance Program (MAP) |
|
2011 |
Launch of Will Awareness Day in NSW |
|
2011 |
Major refurbishment of the Law Society building in Phillip Street completed |
|
2011 |
Launch of Advancement of Women in Profession Report & Recommendations |
|
2011 |
Launch of My CLE Library, an online video podcast service for members |
|
2011 |
Introduction of the Law Society’s first formal Thought Leadership program |
|
2011 |
Creation of the Young Lawyers Mental Health and Wellbeing portal |
|
2011 |
Launch of the Law Society LinkedIn members group and Twitter account |
|
2012 |
Launch of Mock Mediation program for high school students |
|
2012 |
Launch of Small Practice Portal for small firms & sole practitioners |
|
2012 |
Launch of Law Society Reconciliation Action Plan |
|
2012 |
Launch of the Law Society of NSW Women’s Mentoring Program |
|
2012 |
The Specialist Accreditation Program celebrates 20 years in NSW |
|
2013 |
Young Lawyers celebrates its 50th Anniversary |
|
2013 |
Launch of the CareerHub |
|
2013 |
Launch of new newsletters Momentum, Scope, The Big Picture, In the House, EQ, Your CPD Program, Practice Connexions and Specialist Matters |
|
2013 |
Launch of Practice Connexions program specifically for small law firms |
|
2013 |
Launch of Facebook page targeting new lawyers |
|
2013 |
LawAsia Secretariat established at 170 Phillip Street |
|
2013 |
Advancement of Women in the Profession Progress Report published |
|
2013 |
Launch of the 'Know Your Rights' campaign |
|
2014 |
Launch of LSJ - replacing the Law Society Journal, and an app |
|
2014 |
New 24-hour telephone crisis support service and specialist panel introduced |
|
2014 |
Launch of Public Record newsletter for government lawyers |
|
2014 |
Launch of the Law Society Job Board |
|
2020 |
Launch of the Solicitor Outreach Service – a streamlined mental health and wellbeing support service for NSW solicitors |