WHAT WE DO
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Provide legal assistance to Parliamentarians in relation to policy and legislation
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Publish pamphlets on legal matters
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Hold meetings to discuss topical issues
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Provide speakers and assists in finding candidates
The Society is keen to encourage new members who would like to be actively involved with this important work and who have interests and expertise which they feel would be valuable to the Society.
CHAIR OF RESEARCH – ANTHONY SPEAIGHT KC
“We have an active research programme with many expert members contributing to pamphlets and papers which the Society will publish over the coming months to support and enhance the development of Conservative Party policy.”
ABOUT US
The Society of Conservative Lawyers was founded in 1947 and since then has provided a regular input to Conservative thinking and Conservative Party manifestos.
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Its aims and objectives are to:
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Support the Conservative and Unionist Party
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Uphold the principles of justice and democracy
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Consider and promote reforms in the law
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Act as a centre for discussion of Conservative ideas
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Provide speakers and assist in finding candidates
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Promote and assist in the publication of literature
Behind these objectives lies a vigorous organisation with a proud history which has helped influence Conservative policy in a range of areas since its inception. The Society has produced generations of parliamentary candidates from its ranks and many great post-war parliamentarians have been active members of the Society both before and after entering Parliament.
The Society has approximately 400 members many of whom are eminent silks and leading solicitors as well as senior Peers and Members of Parliament with a legal background.
The Society provided research and drafting assistance to many frontbench teams as they prepared for the last election and a significant number of SCL Members were among those newly elected to Parliament.
THE RT HON THE LORD HOWARD OF LYMPNE KC
“The Society of Conservative Lawyers has an outstanding reputation.
"A great many key figures in the Conservative Party have been closely associated with the Society and have served it with great loyalty.”
WHO WE ARE
PRESIDENT
The Rt Hon The Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT
VICE PRESIDENTS
The Rt Hon The Lord Howard of Lympne CH KC
The Rt Hon The Lord Clarke of Nottingham CH KC
Sir Ivan Lawrence KC
The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KC
The Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald KC
CHAIR
The Rt Hon The Lord Hunt of Wirral MBE
CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Lord Sandhurst KC
VICE CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jonathan Fisher KC
HON TREASURER
Andrew Kidd
CHAIR OF RESEARCH
Anthony Speaight KC
VICE CHAIR OF RESEARCH
Tristan Honeyborne
HON SECRETARY
Jill Andrew
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Lord Banner KC, Marcus Booth, Oliver Campbell KC, James Daly, Mark Dunkley, Harry Gillow, Jonathan Hulley, Lord Murray of Blidworth, Simon Randall CBE, Imogen Sadler, Andrew Warnock KC
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY
CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – LORD SANDHURST KC
“I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of the Executive Committee. I pay tribute to the outstanding work of my predecessor, Sir Bob Neill KC (Hon), and the Society is grateful for his leadership over the past four years. Sir Bob has made a valuable contribution in Parliament over many years in a range of capacities and I hope he enjoys a richly deserved retirement from the House of Commons.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to maintain the Society’s reputation for high quality research on legal, constitutional and related policy areas, and ensuring that the importance of our work to provide robust legal thought and analysis continues to be fully recognised in the development of Conservative Party policy as we look to the future.”