Society of Conservative Lawyers
Encyclopedia
The Society of Conservative Lawyers was founded in 1947 and is an affiliate of the Conservative Party
of the United Kingdom. A leading Conservative think tank
, the society also provides expert legal advice to the Conservative Front Bench and hosts debates on topical issues. Since its foundation generations of Conservative candidates
have been selected from the Society’s ranks.
Its aims and objectives are to:
The society has a vibrant membership of lawyers with an interest in Conservative policy and runs a regular diary of meetings and dinners with a strong political theme
teams with legislation
that is going through Parliament
and policy formation. Traditionally the Chairman of Research has led the Society's thinking and in recent years other members have also published pamphlets and papers through the Society. The current Chairman of Research is Lord Faulks, QC
.
NB: These and other publications are available on the Society of Conservative Lawyers website which can be found here.
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
of the United Kingdom. A leading Conservative think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
, the society also provides expert legal advice to the Conservative Front Bench and hosts debates on topical issues. Since its foundation generations of Conservative candidates
Prospective parliamentary candidate
Prospective parliamentary candidate is a term used in British politics to refer to candidates selected by political parties to fight individual constituencies in advance of a general election. This terminology was motivated by the strict limits on the amount of expenses incurred by an actual...
have been selected from the Society’s ranks.
Founding and history
Founded in 1947, the society quickly became a leading Think Tank on law and legal issues for the Party and continues to help to shape manifestos and policy.Its aims and objectives are to:
- Support the Conservative and Unionist PartyConservative Party (UK)The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
- Uphold the principle of justiceJusticeJustice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
and democracyDemocracyDemocracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law... - Consider and promote reforms in the lawLaw reformLaw reform or Legal reform is the process of examining existing laws, and advocating and implementing changes in a legal system, usually with the aim of enhancing justice or efficiency....
- Act as a centre for discussion of Conservative ideas
- Provide speakers and assist in finding candidatesProspective parliamentary candidateProspective parliamentary candidate is a term used in British politics to refer to candidates selected by political parties to fight individual constituencies in advance of a general election. This terminology was motivated by the strict limits on the amount of expenses incurred by an actual...
- Promote and assist in the publication of literature
The society has a vibrant membership of lawyers with an interest in Conservative policy and runs a regular diary of meetings and dinners with a strong political theme
Notable members
The following either are current members or have been in the past- The Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher LG OMMargaret ThatcherMargaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
- The Rt Hon Lord Brittan of Spennithorne QC
- Sir Edward Gardner QC
- The Rt Hon Lord Howard of Lympne QCMichael HowardMichael Howard, Baron Howard of Lympne, CH, QC, PC is a British politician, who served as the Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from November 2003 to December 2005...
- The Rt Hon Lord Howe of Aberavon CH QCGeoffrey HoweRichard Edward Geoffrey Howe, Baron Howe of Aberavon, CH, QC, PC is a former British Conservative politician. He was Margaret Thatcher's longest-serving Cabinet minister, successively holding the posts of Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary, and finally Leader of the House of Commons...
- The Rt Hon Lord Kingsland CQ TD DL
- The Rt Hon Lord Lyell of Markyate QCNicholas LyellNicholas Walter Lyell, Baron Lyell of Markyate, PC QC was an English Conservative politician, known for much of his active political career as Sir Nicholas Lyell.-Early life:...
- The Rt Hon Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT
- The Rt Hon Lord Mayhew of Twysden QC DLPatrick MayhewPatrick Barnabas Burke Mayhew, Baron Mayhew of Twysden, PC is a British barrister, and Conservative Party politician.He was educated at Tonbridge School and Balliol College, Oxford...
Think tank
In addition to the programme of events, the Society has an active research wing. This is involved in helping the frontbenchFrontbencher
In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. The spokespeople for each group will often sit at the front of their group, and are then known as being on the frontbench and are described as...
teams with legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
that is going through Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
and policy formation. Traditionally the Chairman of Research has led the Society's thinking and in recent years other members have also published pamphlets and papers through the Society. The current Chairman of Research is Lord Faulks, QC
Edward Faulks, Baron Faulks
Edward Peter Lawless Faulks QC, Baron Faulks of Donnington in the Royal County of Berkshire, is an English barrister and Queen's Counsel. He was born 19 August 1950. He is the son of His Honour Peter Ronald Faulks, MC and Pamela Faulks and is the brother of the novelist Sebastian Faulks...
.
Current administration
- President: The Rt Hon Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT
- Chairman:
- Executive Chairman: Oliver Heald MPOliver HealdOliver Heald is a British barrister and Conservative politician, and the Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire.-Background:...
Recent publications
- Access to Justice: Four Essays with a foreword by Lord Faulks QC (2011)
- A Fresh Start on Sentencing, by John Riley (October 2008)
- The Impact of the Human Rights Act on the British Constitution, by Anthony Speaight QC (May 2007)
- The Impact of the Human Rights Act on the Work of the Courts, by Edward Faulks QC and Andrew Warnock (May 2007)
NB: These and other publications are available on the Society of Conservative Lawyers website which can be found here.