Law societies to join forces to expand the range of services

For the last 42 years, Barnsley Law Society has banged the drum for the legal community based in South Yorkshire’s industrial heartland.

Now the society is poised to enter a new phase in its development.

It is set to join forces with the Sheffield & District Law Society in order to expand the range of services available to its members.

The new merged body aims to nurture a spirit of collaboration across South Yorkshire.

The merged society – which will be called the Sheffield & District Law Society – brings together more than 4,000 legal professionals working across the Sheffield city region.

The merger will see existing Barnsley Law Society committee members Steven Dawson and Erica Thompson take on management roles in the enlarged society.

Formed in 1970, following a de-merger from the Sheffield & District Law Society, the Barnsley Law Society has campaigned hard to ensure local people have speedy access to justice.

For example, it recently successfully campaigned to overturn plans to close Barnsley’s County Court.

It has also played a key role in creating legislation designed to regulate will writers.

For solicitors practising in South Yorkshire, the society will offer a range of training courses, and access to information held within the society’s legal library.

Anna Rudkin, the president of the Sheffield & District Law Society, said yesterday: “Local law societies play a key role in providing development, training and support for members of the legal profession and we believe that the merger will not only help to create a much stronger local society, but one that will help to encourage greater collaboration throughout the Sheffield city region.

“We plan to continue running events and activities throughout the region and members of the Barnsley Law Society will also be able to benefit from the additional resources and training opportunities available to them as part of their new membership.

“It’s an exciting step for the society and a win-win for all involved”.

Cassie Worton, the secretary of the Barnsley Law Society, said: “The merger will mean that solicitors practising in Barnsley will continue to benefit from local representation, allowing them to share examples of best practice as well as keeping up-to-date with training by attending courses that are run on their doorstep.

“The Barnsley Law Society has had a long tradition of campaigning on behalf of issues that affect the lives of people living in the town and we believe that the merger will allow this vital work to continue.”

Founded in 1875, Sheffield & District Law Society can help members of the public to find a local solicitor with a particular specialism. It can also trace a solicitor or firm where there has been a change in name, or the firm has ceased trading.

From its base at the Law Society Hall, in Sheffield, the society runs a law library, which is open to all members.

It also provides a range of training courses, which are open to non-solicitors.