The catalogue of the papers of the Society of Labour Lawyers has now been completed and is available online through the Archives catalogue|.
The Society of Labour Lawyers was founded in 1949 by Gerald Gardiner and others. Its membership comprises lawyers who are also members of the Labour Party. The society has been 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).
The collection is a valuable resource for those interested in legislative reform on topics such as racial discrimination, illegitimacy, homosexuality and abortion. It also contains files relating to legal aid, criminal procedure and ending capital punishment. Most of the papers date from 1949 to 1979.
Highlights of the collection include:
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Annual reports and accounts
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Minutes of Annual General Meetings and Executive Committee meetings
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Newsletters and circulars
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Membership records
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Subject files containing correspondence, memoranda, sub-committee papers and evidence to government inquiries and Royal Commissions
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Correspondence with members of the Society, MPs and others, including Gerald Gardiner (Lord Chancellor, 1964-70) and Samuel Silkin (Attorney General, 1974-79).
For further information about the collection please contact us: Contact details|