Students lobby for return of magazine

THE LAW Society's weekly publication, The Gazette, could resume distribution among student members if representations put to the society this month succeed.

Students have not received the magazine for the past three years after budget cuts at Chancery Lane.

But a submission by the Trainee Solicitors' Group (TSG) will go before the society's strategy committee on 23 November, outlining the importance of the journal to students.

Former TSG chair Fiona Boyle, who stood down from the post last weekend, says The Gazette provides students with career information and helps them maintain links with the profession.

"This is a situation we've been talking about with the Law Society since they stopped sending The Gazette to students," she says.

"Their response has been mixed. On the one hand they say they can't afford to send it, but on the other hand they recognise there is a great need to improve communication between the society and its student members.

"It's important for students to be able to keep up to date with what is happening in the law."

Law Society President Charles Elly says the society recognises the need for the journal and is considering alternative, less costly ways of distribution.

"We are looking at whether there is any other way to ensure that particularly those who are undergoing the Legal Practice Course can ensure they have the opportunity to read The Gazette," he says.