Join our advisory committees
Our advisory committees provide expertise and insight to help us meet members’ needs through our guidance and trusted resources. Find out what’s involved and how to join a committee.
About our committees
We have two types of advisory committees:
- member advisory committees help develop resources and shape policy on the issues affecting our profession, access to justice and the rule of law
- network committees help to raise the voice and visibility of diversity and inclusion (D&I) communities by assisting in the growth and development of our D&I networks
Each member advisory committee has an annual workplan of projects, which includes contribution to policy development, and supporting in preparing and communicating resources for members (such as events).
Each network committee has an annual workplan, which includes shaping networking events and communications.
As a committee member, you will provide input, specialist knowledge and perspective to help shape your committee’s workplan.
Staff manage the workplan and support its delivery. Committee members volunteer to contribute to areas of their choice which meet their availability and expertise.
Each committee meets up to four times a year. At meetings, you will bring your specialist knowledge and point of view into topical discussions.
Committee meetings are organised and prepared by staff. Meetings will normally be online or hybrid in central London (no more than twice per year).
Dates, timings, agendas and papers are shared in advance to give as much notice as possible.
Meetings can last from half an hour to up to three hours for some committees if the subject matter is especially complex.
If you are appointed as a committee member, you will be expected to:
- attend meetings
- take part in discussions
- read agendas and papers
- dedicate sufficient time outside meetings to complete workplan activities you volunteer to progress
Each committee has up to 12 members.
Once appointed, committee members usually serve a three-year term. You can ask to serve a shorter term on appointment (such as one or two years).
Committee members can be reappointed, up to a maximum term limit of six years.
As volunteers, our committee members are reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses in line with Law Society policy. Learn more about claiming expenses.
For more information about the role, read our ways of working with member advisory committees (PDF 397 KB) and network committees (PDF 332 KB).
Why apply?
You will join a group of experts and build meaningful professional relationships.
You could represent the Law Society at the highest levels, from acting as an expert legal voice in the media, to influencing our discussions with government and supporting the development of trusted resources.
On a network committee, you help to grow D&I networks and raise awareness of key issues.
Demonstrate your expertise, share your views and experiences, and advocate for the profession by becoming a committee member.
Join a committee
Applications for our 2026 committee vacancies closed in June 2026.
We regularly review our committees to make sure they have the expertise, experience, background, diversity, geography and skills needed.
The Law Society recognises the value of diversity and inclusion.
We encourage applications from solicitors and other legal practitioners where relevant, and encourage applications from a range of backgrounds and with different characteristics.
How to apply
If you would like to apply to be considered for a committee vacancy, you’ll need to complete an online application form in the next appointments window.
Application process
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview with the committee chair, another committee member and staff.
Interviews will take place over the summer.
Vetting will be carried out with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or equivalent before you are confirmed as a committee member.
Committee member terms start on 1 November 2026.
If you have any questions about the application process, email volunteering@lawsociety.org.uk.
Committee members’ names will appear on our website in connection with membership of the committee.
Principles of Conduct and conflicts of interest
Committee members are expected to adhere at all times to our Principles of Conduct for elected and appointed members.
By applying for a committee role, you confirm you have read the principles and that you agree to comply with them if you are appointed.
You must disclose details of any of the following:
- adverse findings by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT)
- current or pending regulatory proceedings
- criminal convictions
- current or pending criminal proceedings
- current criminal investigations
We have commercial and non-commercial interests to protect, and our ability to do so must not be compromised by any potential conflicts.
Find out more about conflicts of interest and the register of interests.
You should draw to our attention if you hold any role with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), including paid, elected and/or volunteer positions, and any role performed for the SRA in an advisory capacity.
We may need to request further information from you on the nature of the post so we can assess our obligations under the Legal Services Board's Internal Governance Rules 2019.
Terms of reference
- To support the Law Society in delivering its 2025-28 corporate strategy and annual business plans
- To advise the Law Society on workstreams under relevant strategic goals as and when requested, which may include development of resources and support for members as well as policy outputs, and keeping under review relevant areas of law or practice areas as identified by committee title, including but not limited to law reform and legislation
- As requested and in line with relevant governance delegations, provide information and advice to the Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee (PRAC), Membership Communications Committee (MCC) or both on one or all of the following:
- development of new policy
- resources and support for members, as well as policy outputs, as invited by staff, and
- issues which are determined by the chair and staff to have a high foreseeable risk of attracting significant adverse media coverage and/or significant adverse reaction from a substantial proportion of the Law Society’s membership
- To collaborate with other Law Society committees and member groups as necessary under the workplan and overseen by staff, and to actively consider the need for consultation with the wider profession, including through the Member Advisory Forum, in support of policy or member offer development
- To actively consider equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) matters in its advice
- To annually review in conjunction with staff the committee’s progress and delivery of its terms of reference and workstreams
*These terms of reference apply to our Disabled Solicitors Network, Ethnic Solicitors Network, LGBTQ+ Solicitors Network and Women Solicitors Network.
- To support members of their network by using their experience and knowledge, as well as insights and feedback collected by the Law Society from network and non-network members, to help the Law Society develop and deliver a set of agreed activities for the network captured in an annual network plan
- To help the Law Society to increase and maintain engagement with the network and to raise the profile of the network in the legal profession
- To share key issues relating to the network that the network committee represents, feeding these through engagement routes to inform development of activities under the Law Society’s strategic goals
- To support the promotion of network activities and wider Law Society work to aid network member awareness and engagement
- To provide insight and guidance to inform the development of an annual network plan aligned to the delivery of the corporate strategy
- To ensure the annual network plan, and its activities and outputs are, where relevant, inclusive and accessible to as many network members as possible
- To support each other (network committee members, other committees and staff) to deliver the annual network plan