Council of the Law Society

The Law Society of Ireland is governed by a Council, comprising elected and nominated members of the solicitors’ profession. It also delegates statutory functions to a range of Committees.

Last updated: 05/11/2025

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Council

The purpose of the Council is identified in the Charter of 1852 to act “for the better rule and government of the Law Society, and for the better direction and management of the concerns thereof”. The statutory functions of the Law Society, as set out in the Solicitors Acts 1954 to 2015, are exercised by the Council or by Committees to which the Council delegates those statutory functions. The Council represents the Law Society and its members both in the interests of the public and of the solicitors’ profession generally.

Visual guide to the Council

The Law Society has produced a helpful infographic to explain the make-up and work of the Council. Click on the image to view the full version.

infographic preview

Download Council of the Law Society Infographic Aug 26 (PDF • 190 KB)

President

Under its legislative framework, the Council of the Law Society is empowered to elect a President and Vice-Presidents from among the Council members elected in the annual national election. This is done at the Council meeting immediately following the Annual General Meeting in November of each year. Officers serve for a period of one year.

See details of the Current President

Council membership

The Council comprises 31 elected members, four provincial delegates and 13 nominated members from the Law Society of Northern Ireland, the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association and the Southern Law Association. Past Presidents are entitled to attend Council meetings for three years following their year of Presidency.

Fifty per cent of the elected Council are required to retire annually and elections are held to fill the vacancies arising, with successful candidates serving for a two-year period. The nominated members of the Council are appointed on an annual basis.