Policy and Engagement
The Law Society of Northern
Ireland engages in the process of policy and law reform to ensure adequate
regard is given to the interests of the profession and to the public interest.
Given the unique role played by solicitors across the public, private and third
sectors, the Society and its membership are uniquely placed to inform policy
issues in relation to justice and beyond.
The Society regularly responds to
consultations from a variety of Government Department and other stakeholders to
outline the views of members and influence change on their behalf. As it
contributes to policy and law reform discourse, the Society endeavours to
ensure adequate regard is given to human rights and equality considerations and
to the need to ensure justice is accessible for those who seek it. Where the
Society identifies a matter of public interest which presents a case for reform
it will raise awareness of this within Government and advocate for reform.
The Society actively monitors the
work of the NI Assembly and seeks to engage MLAs, Ministers, and government
officials on a range of issues of interest to the Society. The Society also
engages with the Westminster Government on reserved and excepted matters where
relevant.
The Society has developed and
maintains strategic relationships with key organisations and institutions,
promotes the contribution of the legal services sector to the regional economy,
represents the interests of those within the profession and influences the development
of law and practice in NI.
The Society regularly engages
with the Government, Lady Chief Justice’s Office, other professional
organisations such as the Bar of Northern Ireland, and the business community
through representatives such as the Confederation of British Industry.
The Society also engages
regularly with the Law Societies in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland,
and participates in a programme of international engagement including liaison
with the UK Law Societies’ joint office in Brussels.
For more information on the work
of the Policy and Engagement Department, please contact: policy@lawsoc-ni.org
Please click here to access the Society consultation responses