The Society’s affairs are run entirely by volunteer members of the profession, who give their time to organise its programme of events and to support its wider objectives.

As a matter of legal structure, the Society is a company limited by guarantee. Its directors are Claire Bamford, Laurence Emmett KC, Andrew Hill, Greg Mulley, and Cameron Smith.

The Society’s events are organised by a Committee of volunteers, which is overseen by its officeholders (Chair, Treasurer and Secretary and their respective Deputies). The officeholders are elected annually, at an AGM which takes place early in each calendar year.

Members are encouraged to take an active interest in the Society’s affairs and applications to join the Committee are welcome.

Officeholders and Committee Members

Committee Members

Honorary Appointments

The Society is fortunate to be supported in its activities by generous Patrons. They are:

  • The Rt Hon The Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill DBE PC, Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales
  • The Rt Hon The Lady Arden of Heswall DBE, former Justice of the Supreme Court
  • The Rt Hon Sir Peter Gross, former Lord Justice of Appeal

Previous Chairs

The Society’s previous chairs, given the title “Honorary Life President”, are:

  • Ian Hunter KC, Essex Court Chambers (Chair 1998-2006)
  • Christopher Jackson, MAMO TCV and Stratulat Albulescu (Chair 2006-2010)
  • Anne Cruikshank, Arinna Law (Chair 2010–2012)
  • James Drake KC, 7 King’s Bench Walk (Chair 2012–2016)
  • HHJ Tony Baumgartner, South Eastern Circuit (Chair 2016–2019)
  • The Hon. Anne Bodley, judge of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (Chair 2019-2025)