Liverpool, was for many years, a major player in the British Empire with the wealth and importance to match. Historically the urbanisation and expansion of Liverpool was largely brought about by the city’s status as a major port.

By the 18th century, trade from the West Indies, Ireland and mainland Europe coupled with close links with the Atlantic Slave Trade furthered the economic expansion of Liverpool. By the early 19th century, 40% of the world’s trade passed through Liverpool’s docks, contributing to Liverpool’s rise as a major city. For periods during the 19th century the wealth of Liverpool exceeded that of London itself.

With such commercial prowess, it was critical for Liverpool to harbour a legal profession that could broker deals and seal contracts with some of the major players in the world markets. For more than a century, Liverpool lawyers have been closely involved with businesses, local politics and controversies surrounding the city.

Relics from this era still haunt the city. These include the so called ‘gentleman’s clubs’ where a lawyer would flatter their commercial clients into choosing them for their next big deal. Client care in those days was far from a letter detailing costs and complaints procedures, more like a cigar and a Dry Martini over a game of cards.

Back in the 19th Century it was very dangerous for any lawyer to be asked to court in the afternoon! Some of these establishments still remain in the city and its suburbs, such as the Athenaeum (Church Alley), the Lyceum (Bold Street) and the Racquet Club (James Street).

For a legal profession of this magnitude to thrive, it was important that it had a common unity where members of the profession could gather, network and share ideas, aside from in the numerous boozers around the city. On 25th August 1827, a few Liverpool lawyers gathered in the Clarendon Buildings, on the corner of North John Street to discuss a proposed Law Library for Liverpool.

At that time the cost for membership fees in 1827 was £15.  It had long been felt that Liverpool needed a Law Library due to the high prices of law books.  According to the Annual Report of 1829, there were 52 members.  Most of their names are now forgotten but some survived until very recently in the names of Liverpool firms.

The first President was Joshua Lace whose name is still reflected, in the firm of Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP.  Samuel Brabner’s name survives in Brabners Chaffe Street LLP.  The name of his contemporary founding member, John Holden was reflected until 2001 in the firm of Brabner Holden.

In 1834, the society’s name was changed from Liverpool Law Library Society to the Liverpool Law Society.  By the time the Annual Report of 1893 was printed, there were 348 members and the President was James Alsop whose name survived until recently in the name of the national firm Dibb Lupton Alsop, now known as DLA. Today, the Liverpool Law Society boasts over 2000 members who practice in the locality, which makes it one of the biggest Law Societies in England and Wales.

The success of the Law Society founded the way for an even bigger project, which was to begin in early 1828. The Society itself was a major force in the creation of Liverpool’s first University. Of course, with the Law Society as a major stakeholder in the project it is no surprise that the University of Liverpool’s pièce de résistance was its School of Law.

The establishment of Liverpool’s first major university is not the only success story associated with Liverpool law Society. The Society was active in promoting the idea of the County Court system throughout the country.

Furthermore, in the 20th Century the Society was at the forefront of the promotion of free legal service throughout the city. During the great wars a ‘poor mans’ lawyers scheme was supported by the Society, which provided free legal advice to those that could not afford to pay.

In 1973 the society opened the Vauxhall Law Centre- the first of its kind- which catered for those living in deprived areas of the city. Today, the Citizens Advise Bureau has taken the responsibility of providing free legal advice within the city. Liverpool boasts one of the best CAB systems in the UK, with the city centre office dealing with some 35,000 cases each year.

The above account of Liverpool’s history is merely a sweeping look at the last century of activity within the legal sector. Admittedly, it has barely scratched the surface of what is a long and somewhat controversial history surrounding this area.

It is surprising how much of the city’s law and politics was determined by the arguments which revolved around the Conservative and Liberal Party which battled for dominance right through the 18 and 1900’s, although this discussion is better saved for another time. For now it is enough to remember that Liverpool is a city, which has a history of first class lawyers. We can be proud to be part of this tradition and ensure that the same is said in a century’s time…unless of course we have all succumbed to Tesco Law by this point!

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