Fascinating finds in the Law Society archives

LEGAL documents in the Law Society archives, some dating back to the 17th century, could provide fascinating new information for historians and genealogists.

The documents have been kept in storage since being passed on from solicitors firms that no longer operate or exist and which for legal reasons cannot be destroyed.

They are now being examined by experts at the Law Society as part of a nationwide project but with 27,000 boxes to look at they have a huge task ahead of them.

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Contents range from property deeds and wills which are hand written on vellum and stamped with the waxed seal of Charles II to personal diaries of society ladies from the early 19th century. These were stored in solicitors offices but never claimed by the clients.

In a joint project between the Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the archivists are hoping not only to find historical gems but to repatriate some of the items with any remaining legal owners – such as descendants of the original owners.

The Law Society and the SRA are now working with the preservation section of the British Records Association to sort out the documents so they can loan some to public archives.

Law Society president Desmond Hudson said it was proving a fascinating project offering a great insight into Britain’s legal history.

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“We know the Law Society archivists and the volunteers from the British Records Association have a mammoth task on their hands. Everything from jewellery to wills are stored in the archives and we hope, and assume, many documents of great public interest and historical relevance.”

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