History of the Law Society

The Law Society is incorporated pursuant to section 7 of the Legal Practitioners Act 1981.

Under the Act, the Society may:

  • appoint inspectors to examine trust accounts maintained by legal practitioners;
  • appoint a supervisor to exercise control over trust accounts of legal practitioners where proper cause exists;
  • appoint a manager in respect of the practice of a practitioner or former practitioner;
  • establish a scheme to provide professional indemnity insurance for the benefit of legal practitioners;
  • manager and administer moneys deposited in the Combined Trust Account;
  • maintain the Statutory Interest account and the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund;
  • establish the validity of claims made under the Fidelity Fund; and
  • make an application to the Supreme Court or to the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner concerning the conduct of a legal practitioner.


The Society was first established on 17 November 1879 as an unincorporated association. Since its establishment the Society has functioned as an active and integral part of the South Australian legal profession.

The original letter reads:


“At a preliminary meeting of the Members of the Legal Profession held on Monday, 13th October, resolutions were carried affirming the desirability of forming a Law Society, a Provisional Committee was chosen to frame a code of rules.
I am directed by the Provisional Committee to forward herewith a draft copy of proposed rules for your consideration and to particularly request you to attend a general meeting of all the profession to be held at Messrs. Knox and Gwynne’s Office on Monday, 17th inst., at 3 p.m. to settle the rules.
I remain Yours Faithfully 
Arthur M Hardy
Hon Sec"


The original rules of the Law Club of South Australia (1851) were produced and a resolution was passed that the Rules and By-Laws be circulated amongst the Committee for their consideration. These rules were settled on 17 November, 1879.

On 4 December 1879, only eight people turned up to consider a ballot of members. The meeting was adjourned for a week, whereby 19 people attended. Applications from 72 practitioners were received. The membership fee was set at 1 pound 1 shilling.