Home / Membership / Become a Member

Become a Member

Follow the links below to apply for membership of the Bristol Law Society.

Check our list of corporate members before applying to see if your firm is already a member.

You can also check the corporate members list and our list of council members to help you identify a proposer and seconder.

Professional membership is available to the following categories:

Full member

Partner/Member/Director, Consultant, Principal, or Sole Practitioner £100
Employed Solicitor with 3 years PQE+ £60
Employed Solicitor with less than 3 years PQE £40

Associate member

Barrister at law £100
Judge or Magistrate £100
FILEx/CILEx £40
Paralegal or legal assistant £40
Licensed conveyancer £40
Costs lawyer/ draftsman £40
Notary Public £40
Trade Mark or Patent Attorney £40
Foreign lawyer or registered foreign lawyer within the meaning of Section 89 of the Court and Legal Services Act 1990 £40
Director, principal or employee of a legal services provider which is regulated, registered or authorised by an Approved Regulator £40
Employed by a recognised provider of legal education £30
Retired but prior to my retirement, qualified for membership as above £30

Trainee Membership

Trainee solicitor enrolled with the SRA on a recognised training contract Free
Pupil or Trainee barrister Free
Trainee chartered legal executive Free
Legal Apprentice Free

Apply as a professional

Membership is free for students. If you are studying part-time and work in role where an Associate Membership category would apply then membership will fall under that category.

Apply as a student

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS