1739
On the 13th February, 1739, the `Society of Gentlemen Practisers in the Courts of Law and Equity’ was founded in London. Although, prior to this date there may have been social clubs and societies where lawyers met, this was the first body of lawyers established that `should meet as often as they thought proper and take into consideration any matters relating to the benefit of the suitor and the honour of the profession’. However, membership was limited and the Society did not represent all lawyers. Soon the need for a body to represent the profession at large was recognised.

1823
In 1823, a subscription list was opened by attorneys and solicitors in the Metropolis `for forming an Establishment in the nature of an Exchange in the neighbourhood of the Inns of Court’. The object was to purchase a building for the use of lawyers. On 29th March, 1825, a meeting of subscribers was held at Serle’s coffee house and a committee was appointed which called a general meeting on 2nd June, at which the scheme for an Establishment was put forward and adopted.

1831
At the annual general meeting in 1831 the Committee was authorised to apply for a Royal Charter, which was granted on 22nd December 1831 and `The Society of Attorneys. Solicitors, Proctors and others not being Barristers, practising in the Courts of Law and Equity of the United Kingdom’ came into being.

1845
In Van Diemen’s Land the same need for a society to represent lawyers was recognised., At a general meeting of the members of the legal profession in Van Diemen’s Land held on the 29th day of October 1845 it was resolved:

‘That it is expedient to establish a Society under the Designation of “The Van Diemen’s Land Law Society”, the objects of which shall be to promote fair and honourable practise among the Members of the profession – to promote propriety of conduct in Articled Clerks to attend to applications for Admission – to oppose improper applications to take such measures as may be requisite to prevent persons not admitted from practising – and to offer to the proper authorities from time to time such suggestions respecting the Practice in any of the Courts, and respecting ‘Alterations of the same, as may appear useful. That such Society be accordingly established.’ The Rules of the Van Diemen’s Land Law Society were adopted and printed by William Gore Elliston, in 1845.

1848
The Royal Kalandar and Almanac compiled by James Wood for 1848 sets out the objects of the Society and its office bearers. However, no reference is made to the Society in subsequent almanacs. The early demise of the Society may have resulted from the tyranny of distance between Hobart and Launceston.

1888
On 13th January, 1888, a meeting of the legal profession was convened at Hobart, as the result of a conference between Mr. Russell Young, Mr. Charles Butler, Mr. W. W. Perkins and Mr. Vivian L. Butler. It was resolved that the legal practitioners residing and practising within the limits of the southern district of Tasmania be associated as a Society under the name of the Southern Law Society.

1900
`The Society was formed because it was felt that there was no body in Tasmania who could represent the views of the profession either before the Judges in Court or in regard to pending legislation; also, to promote reform in the law and practice, to represent generally the views of the profession, to preserve and maintain its integrity and status, to supress (sic) dishonourable conduct or practice, to provide for the amicable settlement or adjustment of disputes, to encourage and promote the study of the law, to form and maintain a library, and to form and maintain clubs or reading rooms for the benefit of members.’ (Cyclopedia of Tasmania – 1900)

At Launceston, in the same year, a meeting of the legal profession resolved that legal practitioners residing and practising within the northern district of Tasmania should be associated as a Society to be called the Northern Law Society. For the next 78 years the Tasmanian legal profession was represented by two separate Law Societies.

1962
In 1962, efforts to form a uniform Society were successful, and the Law Society of Tasmania came into being in October, 1962, when Charles Ades Service Page became its first President. In the following year the new Society was host to lawyers from all over the world, who came to Hobart for the 13th Australian Legal Convention.

(From Law Societies by P. B. Walker in The Brief Case: a collection of papers on Tasmanian legal memorabilia and Tasmanian places associated with the 21st Australian Legal Convention)Your Content Goes Here