About Us

• It assists members who are in difficulty in their practice and facilitates the public communicating with the central regulating body if appropriate.
• If you can think of any other services you would like DASLS to provide for the profession please ask us. If it can be done we will provide it.

The Devon and Somerset Law Society

provides its support for the profession in the area through a committee structure comprising:

Vice President’s Committee - The Society’s Think Tank

Executive Committee - Day to day management of the Society

Education and Training Sub-Committee - CPD accredited courses and seminars

International Relations Sub-Committee - Thriving contacts with the Rennes Bar Association, the Erlangen Lawyers’ Association, the Young Bar of Leuven, the Verona Bar, the Gdansk Bar and the Bilbao Bar.  The Society has been an active member of the Federation of European Bars since 1992.

Contentious Business Sub-Committee - Court Liaison, Alternative Dispute Resolution

Non-Contentious Business Sub-Committee - HM Land Registry, Conveyancing, Probate and Trusts

Practice Management Sub-Committee - Encourages modern management techniques and equipment for all offices

Parliamentary Liaison Officers - the group is in liaison with Members of Parliament

Social Sub-Committee - Arranges various local events for members, guests and families

In-House Lawyers’ Group – set up in October 2010 to look at issues specifically affecting members employed in-house.

Click here to access the Terms of Reference of the Committee and Sub-Committees

Our Values

1. Members First
2. Integrity in all we do
3. Co-operate to Achieve
4. Commitment to Equality & Diversity
5. Environmental Awareness
6. Responsibility to our Community

These values determine how we behave and the working environment we enjoy. These are demonstrated in our actions:

a.         Members First        

• We seek to understand the needs of each Member, both as an individual and (where appropriate) as part of the firm for which he or she works
• We will focus on their needs, every time they contact us or we contact them
• We take every opportunity to build beneficial relationships
• We re-think DASLS role, with Members at its centre
• We look for fun in what we do

b.            Integrity in all we do

• We will be open and honest
• We treat others as you would like to be treated
• We aim to give balanced, constructive feedback
• We always observe confidentiality
• We trust others

c.       Co-operate to Achieve 

• We work together to achieve common goals
• We share good ideas
• Ask for and listen to the views of others
• Recognise when others need help and offer them support
• Celebrate success

d.            Commitment to Equality & Diversity

• We will value fairness, equality and diversity in all its dealings, as a provider of services, an employer and a representative of the profession.
• We are committed to eliminating discrimination on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, religion, sexuality or social class.
• We aim to provide accessible services, delivered in a way that respects the needs of each individual.
• We aim to embed these values into every day practice, policies and procedures so that equality and diversity becomes the norm for all.

e.            Environmental Awareness

• DASLS recognises the need to minimise its impact on the local, regional and global environment and we will take any reasonable steps to achieve this.

f.             Responsibility to our Community

• DASLS recognises that the Profession owes its existence to the communities that support it.
• We acknowledge that many of its members give their time and expertise without personal gain.
• We will seek to support practical initiatives that enhance the environment and communities in which it operates.