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British Library of Political and Economic Science

Society of Labour Lawyers


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0097 SLL

Held at: British Library of Political and Economic Science

Title: Society of Labour Lawyers

Date(s): 1936-2005

Level of description: collection

Extent: 36 boxes

Name of creator(s): Society of Labour Lawyers

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Society of Labour Lawyers was founded in 1949 by Gerald Gardiner and others. It is affiliated to the Labour Party and its membership comprises solicitors, barristers, lay magistrates, law teachers and students of law who are also members of the Labour Party. The society has been very active in the cause of law reform since its foundation, producing several influential publications on the subject including Law Reform Now (1963), Law reform for all (1996) and Furthering justice (2005).

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of the Society of Labour Lawyers, mainly dating 1949-1979, including: Annual reports and accounts. Minutes of Annual General Meetings and Executive Committee meetings. Rules of the Society. Newsletters and circulars. Membership records. Papers regarding conferences and other Society events. Subject files on topics such as racial discrimination, illegitimacy, homosexuality and abortion. Subject files relating to reform of the justice system, such as: improving access to the law (provision of legal aid and advice); criminal procedure; and, ending capital punishment. The subject files include correspondence, memoranda, sub-committee papers and evidence to government inquiries and Royal Commissions. Correspondence with members of the Society, MPs and others, including Gerald Gardiner (Lord Chancellor, 1964-70) and Samuel Silkin (Attorney General, 1974-79). Correspondence of the Society's Honorary Secretaries, Jean Graham Hall and Conrad Ascher.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

The collection is arranged in 8 series: 1. Executive Committee; 2: Annual reports and Annual General Meetings; 3. Publications, including rules and newsletters; 4. Membership records; 5. Events; 6. Subject files; 7. Correspondence and other papers; 8. General papers. Within these series, the files are arranged chronologically.

Conditions governing access:

Open

Conditions governing reproduction:

No documents may be photocopied. No material may be published without the prior permission of both the copyright holder and the Library. All applications for publication must be made to the Archivist in the first instance, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Online catalogue available

Detailed catalogue

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Output from CAIRS using template 14 and checked by hand on May 29, 2002; updated Apr 2008

Date(s) of descriptions: May 29, 2002; updated Apr 2008


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Interest groups | Groups
Law reform | Law
Legal systems | Law

Personal names
Gardiner | Gerald Austin | 1900-1990 | Baron Gardiner | Lord Chancellor
Silkin | Samuel Charles | 1918-1988 | Baron Silkin | politician

Corporate names
Labour Party
Society of Labour Lawyers

Places