The Law Society governs the practice of law and the legal profession in the public interest by ensuring that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are served by lawyers who meet high standards of learning, competence and professional conduct, and by upholding the independence, integrity and honour of the legal profession for the purpose of advancing the cause of justice and the rule of law.

The President is the highest elected official of the Law Society and acts as Chair of Benchers’ meetings or Convocations (this word is used because of Benchers’ authority to grant degrees in law). The President is elected each year at the June meeting of Convocation and serves for one year.

Benchers are comprised of 17 lawyers elected by their colleagues and 4 lay Benchers appointed by the Chief Justice of the Trial Division. All work to protect the public interest in the delivery of quality legal services.

Together with the Society’s professional and administrative staff and the Committee system, Benchers ensure that prospective lawyers for Newfoundland and Labrador are appropriately educated at law school and then rigorously trained through the articling process and the Bar Admission Course program and examinations of the Society. The Benchers ensure also that practising lawyers have access to an excellent library collection and many high quality continuing education programs.

In addition to provincial and educational concerns, Benchers consider matters impacting upon the profession and the public nationally and internationally. The Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is a member of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and collaborates internationally and, when appropriate and in the public interest, with governments.

If you have questions about the work of the Law Society, including the regulation of the legal profession or the administration of justice generally, you should contact one of the Benchers listed in the directory, or the Law Society’s staff.