The Law Society has been granted what it describes as ‘unprecedented’ access to the United Nations.

Special consultative status been accorded to the body, giving it scope to collaborate with member states on issues including human rights and the rule of law, and contribute to discussions on the Council’s agenda on an international and domestic level.

Consultative status for an organisation allows it actively to engage with the Economic and Social Council of the UN, and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the UN secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies. The Society will be able to:

* provide expert information and advice to the UN;

* be informed about the provisional agenda of the Economic and Social Council;

* make suggestions for the provisional agenda, and

* designate official representatives to the UN headquarters in New York and the UN offices in Geneva and Vienna.

Law Society president Andrew Caplen said: ‘We are thrilled to have been granted special consultative status at the UN. The recognition of the Law Society as an organisation that can provide insight and expertise will further our work upholding the independence of the legal profession, the rule of law, and human rights on a domestic and international level.’