Governance & History

Governance

The Law Society of Jersey Law 2005 (the "Law") also provides for the administration of the Law Society of Jersey, the recognition of legal services bodies and for the disciplinary control of Advocates and Jersey Solicitors of the Royal Court. 

The Law also had the effect of incorporating the Law Society of Jersey as a body corporate.

One of the main purposes of the Law is to set out the action to be taken by the Law Society of Jersey in the event that a complaint is received about one of its Members and how any complaints will be considered.

The Law is supported by The Law Society of Jersey Bye-Laws 2018.  Ordinary members of the Law Society of Jersey must observe its Code of Conduct and a breach of the Code is deemed professional misconduct.  All members are governed by the Law Society of Jersey’s Code of Conduct. 

Advocates and Jersey Solicitors have a right to practise Jersey law pursuant to the Advocates and Solicitors (Jersey) Law 1997, as amended.  Only these lawyers have a right to practise Jersey law.

The Law also gives members of the Law Society of Jersey who are Advocates the power to elect the Batonnier (the head of the Island’s Bar), once every three years.

The Law Society of Jersey is governed by a Committee, elected by members, led by the President.  

The current President is Advocate Rose Colley.

Advocate Colley was elected as the Law Society's 22nd and first female President in September 2020.

History

Although the Law Society was not incorporated as a statutory body until 2007 when The Law Society of Jersey Law 2005 came into force, it was first established in 1899 to represent the interests of the legal profession.

The Society has been served by 21 Presidents since 1899, as detailed below: