The weekly Law Society Gazette magazine is to go fully digital from 2022. The final print version will be published on 13 December – 119 years on from the magazine’s foundation and 50 years after the Gazette moved from monthly to weekly publication in 1972.

Announcing the change today, the Law Society said the move reflects the changing ways that people are engaging with its flagship title. Many members now rely on the Gazette’s website and the pandemic has accelerated the trend towards business-to-business publications moving fully online.

‘We are determined to provide value to members,’ the Society said in a statement. ‘Last year, the Law Society reduced the amount we received through the practising certificate fee by a total of £3 million.

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‘In the face of ongoing uncertainty, we will maintain our proportion of the fee at the same level for the year ahead. We are also proactively reviewing all activities to ensure we are using member funds as effectively as possible.

‘We also know that solicitors are increasingly concerned about sustainability and climate issues. Ceasing the print and distribution of 68,069 copies of the magazine each week will not only save funds; it will also reduce our carbon footprint and have a positive environmental impact.’

The magazine will continue in digital form from January 2022. However, publication will be brought forward from Monday to the previous Friday, increasing the currency of the Gazette’s content. The weekly magazine ‘goes to press’ on Thursday evenings.

Readers who already receive the Gazette Daily Update by email need take no action. The digital magazine will be included in the daily email, with a new issue each Friday.

If you have not signed up for the Gazette Daily Update, you can register here.